from YAPRap October 2004
by Al Bingham, YAPRap Feature Writer
There has always been something mystical about Uluru. It has held a fascination for Australians, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, for many generations. Like a big red heart beating in the centre of this wide, brown land many have undergone pilgrimages to it over the centuries. Some of the earliest Australian painting can be seen on the rock faces and in the caves around the base of Uluru. It is no wonder that Lindy Chamberlain's story gripped the nation with the big, red rock as its setting.
What better place to take young people on a journey of discovery and reconciliation? Groups from all over Australia, including Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Tasmania, and Sydney, are chosen to undertake a pilgrimage to Uluru to learn more about Aboriginal culture and its importance in their lives. The activity is aptly called Journey to the Heart.
Being cooped up in a bus for thirteen days may not sound like such a great start to a youth event, but the New South Welsh organisers even make this part exciting for participants. The bus stops at various points along the way and its occupants disembark to experience all kinds of different activities. Some of these include visiting Aboriginal Cultural Centres at Thankakali and Wadlata, examining opal mining caves at Coober Pedy, seeing the Flying Doctor Service at Alice Springs, and a cruise of the Murray River, on the way home. As part of this process the young people learn different Aboriginal words such as Thankakali, which means 'your people, my people'.
Participants are also given two maps of their journey. One has place names that are familiar to them and the other has the traditional Aboriginal names for the same places. Using a pen the young people mark the journey they are taking through the various tribal lands. In this way they become more aware of the great number of different Aboriginal groups that occupy parts of Australia and the names of the various Indigenous lands they are passing through.
Young people attending Journey to the Heart are also exposed to Aboriginal culture in a variety of ways: through visits to the various cultural centres, through talks about such issues as the stolen generation given by Indigenous speakers, through various activities conducted by Aboriginal guides such as digging for witchety grubs, and through learning the history of such groups as the Mutitjulu people who live near Uluru. They are also shown how different tools and weapons were and are used by Aboriginal people to live in harmony with the land.
Another way that young people are given knowledge of Indigenous culture is through being introduced to the meaning of different symbols used in Aboriginal painting. They are given an opportunity to paint their own designs, drawing inspiration from the symbols they have learnt.
The main part of Journey to the Heart happens at Uluru. There, all of the young people from different parts of Australia gather together to share what they have experienced so far, and learn even more about Indigenous culture. They meet each other and watch a celebration of Aboriginal culture put on by local artists, as well as performing some items themselves. Of course, they are also given a demonstration of how to play a didgeridoo.
They also share in a water ceremony, which is a way of showing how important water is to Indigenous people living in the Uluru region. Part of this ceremony is recognising how important water is to all life, and how sharing similar experiences can be a move towards reconciliation. A cup of water is given to each person so that all can share a communal drink together.
A profound sense of being at the centre of Australia, and of the spiritual and national significance of Uluru, is fostered as part of this stage of the journey. Time is spent walking around the rock, viewing the rock art galleries at its base and contemplating the relationship between Indigenous Australians and the land.
At the end of their trip participants are challenged to engage in a project to further their understanding of the Indigenous people in their locality. They are also challenged to share what they have learned with their friends and family, to promote sensitivity of our Indigenous heritage.
Journey to the Heart is an annual pilgrimage run by Fusion under the "Schools in Harmony" banner since 2000. Hundreds of young people from all over Australia have taken part in it. It is for Indigenous and non-Indigenous young people alike, whether they want a deeper understanding of their cultural heritage, or have a desire to apply reconciliation in their own area. Or just want to have fun.
more information
Fusion Australia
02 9789 4888
sydney@fusion.org.au
www.schoolsinharmony.org
