March edition of just want justice e-newsletter
Week 2 story update: The power of belief
By Tim O'Connor
Week two of Project Compassion featured the story of Indigenous teenager Amos, who has been building a brighter future for himself while participating in a Caritas Australia project based in his remote community in the Northern Territory.
This month, the aspiring filmmaker has been able to take advantage of new opportunities to build on the skills he learned from the project - and make his first trip to Sydney.
"A lot of these kids are very shy due to the situations they have faced" says Indigenous leader Tom E. Lewis, who has been working with Amos during his cameraman training.
"A big challenge for us is to build their confidence so they can go on to be leaders of Indigenous people into the future".
A prominent Indigenous musician, actor and artist, Tom has just recorded a CD of music featured in the annual festival "Walking with Spirits' held in Katherine. Ross Hannaford, best known as the guitar player with Daddy Cool, and double bass player and producer Michael Hohnen have joined with four traditional elders to produce an eclectic melange of ancient culture and modern guitars.
Young filmmakers Amos and his mate Ricardo, documented the process with his camera and have produced a wonderful documentary under the tutelage of distinguished filmmaker Julia Morris.
Amos and Ricardo have since been offered the opportunity to learn new practical skills when they recently traveled to Sydney with the support of the Palm Beach Surf Lifesaving Association.
During his trip Amos told us: "I really liked hearing the stories of the elders. I don't understand it all. It's great to hear it though. It reminds me that our people have been here a long time."
"I've been in some trouble with the police like many of my friends around Beswick," says Amos. "When I'm filming the old people and their stories though, it made me think," says Amos contemplating his new found role as a storyteller. "I love being behind the camera and hearing the stories of the old fellas."
"Using the camera didn't take me long to pick up. I practiced a fair bit and Julia and Tom help me a lot. Having Ricardo learning with me was good. We could learn off each other."
Caritas Australia's support to Djilpin Arts is having a big impact on Amos' community in Beswick, which lies about three hours south of Darwin. Whilst many challenges remain, seeing Amos and Tom recently filming an interview with prominent journalist Jeff McMullen illustrates the confidence that Amos has received from this support.
"I'd love to film a big movie one day. Tell the stories of our people," he says. Amos is excited about the power of filmmaking, saying it has broadened his horizons and made him think of a better future. "We are excited though to see there are things we can do. Getting on a plane was very exciting and looking down on the world from up there was great. I saw that the world is big and that I belong in there. That made me feel good."
The warm hug that Amos gives me as we depart is a sign of a young man who is more confident of the place he has in the world and a powerful example of the positive stories happening in Indigenous communities that often get overlooked.
Web Movies: See excerpts of footage and filmclips shot by Amos here.
Tackling the causes of Indigenous disadvantage: read what Caritas is doing.
Also in just want justice March edition: Read inspiring stories of what groups and individuals are doing to support Project Compassion around Australia.
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