Preserving Culture
Culture is defined as ‘that integrated whole that includes beliefs, knowledge, arts and other forms of expression, handed down through the generations’. It includes the many stories, songs, dances and paintings that represent cultural knowledge, power and identity. Culture is traditional. Culture is contemporary. Culture is always ‘living’, breathing and transmuting.
The Preserving Culture Department works in partnership with Groote Eylandt Archipelago communities to conserve and protect Anindilyakwa Cultural Heritage and to build a living cultural economy. All programs are guided by the Anindilyakwa people, their law and governance.
The programs are utilised by all community members particularly youth and elders to actively participate through planning and employment in the culture-based activities while utilising modern technology in its multi media program, Groote Eylandt Broadcasting and music program to archive, share and create cultural and culture based contemporary content.
This Department’s ongoing work supports the Archipelago communities with the management and protection of Aboriginal places and helps with the repatriation of Aboriginal ancestors and Aboriginal cultural materials. Men’s business and women’s business with the dedicated female and male and female anthropologists engage with key elders and community members to research, record and retain elements of their traditional culture, deemed of significance to them.
They work within a mining context to assist the Anindilyakwa people to identify sites within the leased areas. As the anthropologists also work as social advocates, their work ensures equal opportunity to both genders, in terms of broader community engagement and consultation processes.
The Department aims to employ and train as many Warnumamalya-langwa (people) as possible. Our Cultural production facilities include 3 Art Centres, a Language Centre, music studios, a media training hub and two radio stations, and a Men’s Shed for elders. At the core of these programs sits a growing archive of cultural history, Anindilyakwa knowledge and cultural objects. Through the programs the communities will work with global and national cultural centres and other art institutions to encourage and inspire contemporary cultural practice.
Watch the video below to learn more about Anindilyakwa Land Council’s Preserving Culture department.
Knowledge protection, cultural maintenance and, where appropriate, sharing have been identified in many independent studies as fundamental to the health and wellbeing of Australian Indigenous communities.
The ALC, in partnership with the Federal Government, built three cultural hubs complete with multimedia areas, offices, as well as places for cultural display and workshops, both indoors and out. At an investment of $7.6M these places were created where people can meet, learn and engage in contemporary and traditional culture and art, places where there is opportunity for training and intergenerational learning.
Interactive technologies and social media enable the young people to celebrate their culture within the emerging digital economies in an educated and sophisticated manner. Performance spaces and music studios support musicians while enabling traditional dance and song to be recorded, passed on and shared both locally and globally.
The Culture Centres provide spaces for a Language Centre, two Groote Broadcasting stations, a Media Centre, Anthropology, Art Centres, and Mens Sheds in the three communities of Angurugu, Umbakumba and Milyakburra.
Anthropology
The Preserving Culture Department employs a male and female anthropologist to engage with key elders and community members to research, record and retain elements of their traditional culture, deemed of significance to them.
Anindilyakwa Arts
Anindilyakwa Arts is a thriving hub of creativity located on the Groote Eylandt Archipelago in the Gulf of Carpentaria in the Northern Territory. The program is fully supported by the Anindilyakwa Land Council within its Preserving Culture Department and aligned with the ALC’s mission to protect, maintain and promote Anindilyakwa culture.
Groote Broadcasting
Angurugu and Umbakumba provide 24 hour listening on Angurugu Radio 102.9fm and Radio Umbakumba 106.3fm with programs that feature local news, events, people, and music.
First Nations community radio is seen as crucial for the promotion of Indigenous culture and languages, and the communication needs of remote communities.
Language Centre
The Language Centre’s mission to protect, maintain and promote the Anindilyakwa Language for future generations involves a varied and comprehensive portfolio of work and projects which is enthusiastically lead by Anindilyakwa speakers.
Media Program
The ALC Media program is a pathway to story-telling and creativity through digital media. Its aim is to empower, preserve culture and develop Warnamamalya access and skill sets across moving and still imagery. It’s an open program accessible to traditional owners who shape both it’s content and direction.
Mens Shed
At the request of the senior men, the ALC built the shed in February 2014 as a place to make spears and cultural objects. The Men’s Shed have a range of activities that include the development of ochre paints for artists, Felled timber is recycled into bread boards along with other saleable wooden items. They are all made from Eylandt timbers.
Music Program
AMP! is the name of the ALC’s music program. AMP! stands for Anindilyakwa Music Program and its staff manage a string of bands and artists and runs in-school and out-of-school music programs.
