BEFORE I start this new column I would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of my land, the Wiradjuri people. This column is dedicated to those who have gone before us, to those present and to those who will follow us.
LAST week I was approached by The Daily Advertiser to contribute to the new-look format of the newspaper by supplying a weekly social comment column.
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I was very proud to be asked to take on this role. I hope to share with you information about my Wiradjuri culture, events and happenings in our area, and also some of my photographs of Ngurambang (country).
This column is not the voice of my people but rather a place where I can share with many about what Wiradjuri culture is, and was.
I don’t proclaim to be a Wiradjuri Elder, nor an expert on my culture. I’m a Wiradjuri Gibirr (man) who feels the need to help my culture to survive and thrive.
Wiradjuri people have walked and cared for this land for thousands of years.
Food, animals, trees, water and land have been carefully and culturally protected and loved in such a special way that Wiradjuri people actually have grown to be part of all those things.
Language, culture and land are what and who we are. To have that taken away from you is something that should never happen to any human being. Most times that would totally destroy any culture, and in the past with some cultures, it has.
Wiradjuri and Aboriginal cultures have been alive for so long, they have been so engraved into our song lines and country that they have survived, and are now rebuilding.
When people ask me, “who are you and where do you come from?” I say that I’m a Wiradjuri Gibirr (man) and we are the Galari Bila Mayiny (Lachlan River People) To be able to identify your clan and know where you have come from, helps to know where you are going.
When you get disconnected from your song lines, disconnected from your mob, you can lose your way, lose respect for yourself and for others. This has happened to many of our people.
Over the coming months I hope to encourage you all to learn something about my very old Wiradjuri culture and people.
In my style of sharing I will try to take you on a respectful murru (journey) of discovery and learning about what I know and about what I’m learning as well. Guwayu (safe travels).
- Mark Saddler