Linking Landcare and Aboriginal Culture
Posted on 15 March, 2017 by Asha
When you look across the landscape, can you see where Myndie the Rainbow Serpent travelled? You can at Yapenya, aka Mount Barker, which is Dja Dja Wurrung owned and managed land near Harcourt. For our February 2017 Landcare Link-up, the Dja Dja Wurrung Corporation invited Landcare group representatives from the Mount Alexander Region Network to visit Yapenya and go on a cultural journey with Jida Gulpilil. “Love, share, and care” were his three key words for looking after the land we live on.
Jida began by welcoming us with a smoking ceremony, explaining that he does this every time he goes on country.
We followed the contour of the land throughout the day, exploring different sites of significance across the hills and the stories behind them. We stopped at shaded spots and lookouts where Jida shared stories of local Aboriginal culture and history with the group. Jida explained the importance of leaving culturally significant sites undisturbed by walking around them rather than through. Looking out at an amazing view to the east, Jida pointed out where Myndie the Rainbow Serpent traveled towards Leanganook, leaving a trail behind. If you look at the photo below, you might be able to see the trail running up the middle of the hill.
After some questions, everyone headed back down to a beautiful lunch prepared by our local Murnong Mammas, who incorporated some bush tucker into the meal. The peach and Kakadu plum cake went down particularly well! Big thank yous to the Murnong Mammas, Jida, and the Dja Dja Wurrung Corporation.
This event was part of Connecting Country’s Landcare Adapting to Change 2017 project, funded by the North Central Catchment Management Authority’s Community Grants Program.
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Beautiful views across the landscape as the group moved the the next spot
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Can you see the trail left by the Rainbow Serpent?
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Jida Gulpilil sharing stories and knowledge with the group at the February Landcare Lin-up
Terrific to hear that the original owners of this region were willing to share some of their knowledge on their land.
I am an artist and am curious to know if I could get permission to go and paint in that area. I live in Elphinstone.
Sincerely,
Smiley Williams
Thanks Smiley. You’ll have to get in touch with the Dja Dja Wurrung Corporation about access to the land. Their contact details are here: http://www.djadjawurrung.com.au/contact-us/
Cheers, Krista