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Lenten Stories: Week 2

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Empowering Indigenous youth to capture their stories

Amos, 18, is a Mialli/Rembarrnga man. He lives, with his parents and four siblings, in the remote Beswick/Wugularr community, located about 100 kilometres from Katherine in the Northern Territory. Amos is participating in the ‘Learning My Dreaming’ project launched in 2005 by Djilpin Arts Aboriginal Corporation and supported by Caritas Australia.

‘Learning My Dreaming’ is a project designed specifically for youth in Indigenous communities which teaches skills in film making, acting and video production. As part of the project young people are encouraged to document cultural events in the community and to interview and record Elders telling their cultural stories. Youth are provided with equipment and resources to film interviews with members of the community. Footage is then edited, crafted into a story and viewed at community events with traditional dancing and a meal.

Many Indigenous communities in Australia face major social problems including poverty, low self-esteem, substance abuse, inadequate education and unemployment. These problems are often compounded by regional isolation and erosion of cultural identity. ‘Learning My Dreaming’ aims to bring about positive change in the community by developing pride and encouraging respect for traditional Indigenous family values, culture, land and ceremony.

The project builds the skills and confidence of young people in the community, encourages collaboration between youth and elders and records important cultural and historical information that could otherwise be lost. Amos is proud of his involvement in making films. Before the project Amos did not attend school and felt he had little direction in life. ‘Learning My Dreaming’ has helped to bring out his talents and develop skills that formal schooling was unable to do.

In the future Amos would like to learn to read and write, get his driver’s licence, buy a car and travel around Australia working as a cameraman. Djilpin Arts is currently supporting twenty Indigenous youth and employs another twenty five community members to perform the roles of storyteller, teacher and performers within the films.

Caritas Australia is proud to be supporting Djilpin Arts Aboriginal Corporation program which is also strengthening relationships within the community, creating job opportunities and supporting young Indigenous Australians to develop a sense of pride in their culture.

UPDATE: Read how Amos' newfound filmmaking skills have lead to further opportunities and his first trip to Sydney!
Tackling the causes of Indigenous disadvantage: read what Caritas is doing.

Web Movies: See excerpts of footage shot by Amos (whose story features in Week 2) to promote the Muyngarnbi - Songs from Walking With Spirits CD. The CD is a compliation of Indigenous artists who perform at the annual Walking With Spirits Festival in Malkgulumbu. Watch a filmclip of one of the songs Warrk Warrk (Black Crow) (5Mb WMV) and footage from the DVD The making of Muyngarnbi (7MB WMV).
Click here for more information on Djilpin Arts or to purchase the CD.

Photos: See more scenes from Beswick in the gallery.

Your support
Your donation to Project Compassion will support the development of Indigenous communities like Amos'.