I acknowledge the traditional custodians of this 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.
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DHALANG ngadhu yarra nganhali, ngadhi giiny!
(Today I talk from here, my heart.)
I again this week travelled into ngurambang (country ) to yarra (talk) and wudhagarbinya (listen) mayiny-gu (to people).
On my murru (journey) I always look into the bush for signs in our madhan (trees) and I always see madhu (many).
However, just this week, as I was leaving Wagga for the day, I noticed some workers digging trenches around, and very close, to a Wiradjuri scar tree.
I stopped to talk to them, advise them to take care while working near the scar tree and then, recorded the tree.
As I was driving I got to thinking about how many times this still happens around our nations, how many artefacts are being damaged, destroyed and lost from our culture?
I felt a sense of loss, not just for Wiradjuri but for Australia.
I went about my business this yiradhu (day) in Griffith and Leeton.
But as I did I couldn't help thinking about our ancient and special culture that is about us, still all around us.
Scar trees, middens, stone tools and more.
They are all part of our Wiradjuri song lines and heritage.
So on my way home, from my murru (journey), I stopped and went into an area that always connects me.
I found some dandaa bila madhu (beautiful river trees) and cut ngumbaay bula gulaman (three Coolamon) from them.
This will not kill the madhan (tree) it is cut a special way and has been done for thousands of years.
I then carved a gugaa (goanna) into ngumbaay madhan (one tree) as a sign that Wiradjuri mayiny are still here.
We are proud, we are all colours, shapes and sizes, we are carers of our ngurambang (country) and we are eager to teach those who want to learn.
What is needed dhalang (today) is more education for the public and also for us as Aboriginal people about how to protect our culture.
Much has been taken away from us, not lost, just hidden.
I want our gudha (children) to be able to go out in ngurambang (country) and see scar madhan (tree) balugan (animals) and culture alive and well.
If we do not keep our culture alive, it will cease.
- For more about Wiradjuri culture, and Wiradjuri Cultural tours go to my web page at www.bundyiculture.com.au.