Learning Country on Country

I watched the smoke blow in the wind, coming towards me more and more. I could hear the cry of a crow in the tree above, and then I felt the smoke, my soul was cleansed. I looked out at the women who stood around me and knew I was safe. It was the safety I longed for since the passing of my nana.

For three days, I felt at home, surrounded by family, support, love and respect. But I was not home, I was on someone elses land with people from all different ways. "Which way?" Was asked as the women met one another. A connection set in moment and a relationship made.

A hand on the shoulder, a lean in, a smile, a hug, a cry and the voice of an Aunty showed the power of a community. An offering of cleansing brought my body and soul to connect with the land, mother earth. To listen and feel for my nana, and take in father sky. To ground myself in the moment, to slow down and go softly. Words I will tell myself and my children each day, thank you Aunty Sharron.

I felt the raw emotions, I heard the voice in my head, I noticed the black cockatoos, the paper bark that caught my eye, the turtles that looked up staring, and wondered what do I need to hear and do. This learning on country experience was the opening to my own identify, my cultural safety and the way to building the community that I want for our future old people.

I believe you cannot learn country without being on country. You need to touch the land, hear the trees, smell the air, listen to the wind and water, feel the people around you and just be. Receiving the knowledge of the ways from an elder is authentic and real. Hearing their story through truth telling and yarning is a core memory that I will hold close to my heart.

I sit weaving, as I am guided my Aunty and she tells us of stories. She's weaving and yarning, it feels like she is embracing you in a hug. Its warm, safe and inspiring. I'm overwhelmed with this sense of knowing I belong. Its amazing to wonder what sitting in a circle can do for your soul and your sense of being, belonging and becoming.

I wanted more of that pure connection in everyday life. I challenged my thoughts on why we are segregated as a family and community in the western world. Why not a village, a family, a community that is there when you need them, and you're there when they need you.

Connecting the Dots Through Culture. If you don't know this name, go and find them. Jackie and Cecelia, my life has changed finding you both. You bring people together and make culture come alive. I am highly educated, but yet I learnt more in 3 days about embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in my teaching and in my everyday life. The knowledge and connections you bring to this world is such a privilege, and I will never forget how much you both have shared with me.

If you want to learn about Country, go out on Country. Connect to your community, get out of the classroom and connect with your feet.

Until next time, Eso

Shirona Lowe