Join us in our shopfront to sit, weave and yarn in circle with Bundjalung Elders.
We’ll be working together to create string from fibres of the cottonwood tree that will then be woven together to create a traditional fishing net.
Whilst weaving the net, stories and knowledge will be shared and ideas explored. We’d like to listen to stories from the Elders and open the discussion within the weaving circle to put this practice in a modern context. What does this process mean to each of us? How do our thoughts change or evolve while our hands weave? How could we apply this experience into the future? What stories or practices are shared between generations today? Has this process helped to reconnect us with the River and with traditional practices of survival? What have we learned?
The local priority of this research was identified in collaboration with a senior member* of the Bundjalung Nation who recognised the potential loss of net weaving knowledge in the community and that this project would be a renewal process. They stated that 'in the process of renewal everyone can be involved'.
We’ll be weaving with cottonwood collected along the Richmond River under the guidance of Nyangbul Bundjalung man Marcus Ferguson, Cultural Advisor at Jagun Alliance.
This workshop is FREE and open to all genders.
Places are limited and registration is essential.
This event is now fully booked. If you would like to be added to the waitlist and be notified when a ticket becomes available, please register on the event link. If you are First Nations and would like to come along to this event, please contact us at livinglabnr@scu.edu.au.
This circle forms part of a larger research project being conducted by Gnibi College at Southern Cross University. “Stories behind the fishing net: sitting with the Aunties” focuses on recording our learning journey while making a fishing net.
This event is being run in partnership with Jagun Alliance as part of the Guung Butherun (water stories) project. This project aims to create opportunities for connection and discussion within community by bringing Knowledge holders together to provide custodianship and enhance cultural governance in what is now known as the Richmond River Catchment. Guung Butherun is funded by the joint Commonwealth and NSW Government’s Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
*Out of respect we are not naming the elder as they have recently passed, but they will remain as an honorary co-author on the project as they requested.
Image: Jahvis Loveday
