Lenten Stories: Week 2 update
Tackling the causes of disadvantage
During this momentous month in Australian political history - where a bipartisan Federal Parliament supported saying “Sorry’ to the Stolen Generations - the myriad challenges that face many in Australia’s Indigenous communities are being tackled with a new vigour.
Djilpin arts, Caritas Australia’s partner in Beswick, is taking up these challenges on a daily basis. This remote community that faces many of the challenges we have seen documented in great detail over the last six months. Lack of employment and services, poor housing, limited health care and a loss of traditional culture all impact on the identity of young people and restrict their ability to be able to play a positive role in their society.
Amos, a young Mialli/Rembarrnga man, is an example of the great things that come from showing trust and belief in Indigenous young people. As a part of the ‘Learning My Dreaming’ project supported by Caritas Australia, Amos is using his considerable, though previously unknown talents, as a cinematographer and film maker to bridge the generational gap.
“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.”
Jo Thompson, Caritas Australia’s Indigenous Program manager explains that breaking the cycle of unemployment and crime is a real challenge. “Many of the young people do not have jobs and many turn to crime through boredom and due to the fact they don’t see they have a place in their community. The cycles of alcohol and drug abuse are also difficult to break when there is little structure in peoples lives. Projects like ‘Learning My Dreaming’ has enabled young people like Amos to feel confident and to develop a real sense of pride in their culture and to have a future to look forward to,” says Ms Thompson.
“By giving our young people the opportunity to get in touch with the old people, sit down with them and tell their stories, we are attempting to reconnect them with their culture and their identity and show them they do have a place in the world,” says Tom Lewis, Beswick musician who has been working with Amos during his cameraman training.
Do something about reconciliation - buy our CD!
Reconciliation: Stories of the Heart, Sounds of the Rock CD is a soundscape of music and words, featuring music from Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists including Midnight Oil, Wendy Matthews, Yothu Yindi and Paul Kelly. Free accompanying study guide can be downloaded here. (907Kb PDF). You can also download sheet music for the Sorry Song from this website.
Listen to sample clips (WAV files): Gunditjmara Land - From Little Things Big Things Grow - Solid Rock - We'll Build a Nation
$15.00 each. Phone 1800 024 413 to place an order.
The CD is a joint initiative of Caritas Australia, Catholic Mission and ANTaR.
