Geoff Helisma |
Maclean High School and Desert Pea Media (DPM) have combined to produce a film clip for a song, River to the Sea, which was performed and written by some of the school’s Indigenous students in collaboration with DPM.
The project, which follows the production of a film clip for Yaegl Biirrinba (This Is Our River) in August last year, aims to provide an opportunity for Indigenous students to “critically think about how to create positive change for yourself, for each other and for our communities”.
Toby Finlayson from DPM said, “The DPM team feels deeply honoured to build friendships and connection with the Yaegl community in Maclean and Yamba.
“These projects not only uplift and inspire audiences and community members, but everybody involved.”
The students, who call themselves The 380 Crew, spent five days in December working on the film clip’s production: three days collaborating with music producers to come up with the lyrics and music and two days of filming.
Maclean High School’s deputy principal instructional leader for Aboriginal students, Liza Hamilton, said “the project is very exciting for the school as it brings our elders and students together and the end result is just fantastic”.
“My experience is that our Yaegl youth are very proud, self-reliant kids and are a product of the Lower Clarence, their schools and their families.
“I think we are making a lot of inroads, celebrating and understanding the Aboriginal perspective.”
She said the students often say “look after country and it will look after you – Uncle Ron Herron always says that – I think that’s really important”.
Mr Herron, a Yaegl man, has degrees in archaeology and anthropology, lectured at Southern Cross University for 10 years and, in 2014, Macquarie University awarded him a Doctor of Letters (honoris causa).
Ms Hamilton, who is not indigenous, said the students had benefitted “immensely” from participating in the two productions.
“They’ve seen success and done something as a group,” she said.
“They were very patient making the film, which only goes for three minutes, having to shoot scenes over and over again.
“They were very courteous and respectful; it’s one of the reasons DPM came back … to work with these kids again.
“It’s given them a sense of worth and pride so they can celebrate who they are.
“We need more conversations [that include] their experiences and viewpoints – in education, health and employment –, to make sure we are all-inclusive.
“Education will always be the key.
“It can create awareness and empathy; we do it here [at Maclean High School] pretty successfully.”
A selection of lyrics state: “To find the truth we gotta look inside / We’re traumatised, we cannot lie
“…Gotta be lookin after my country / Like my ancestors taught me / From the land to the sea, Country speaks to me / Through my song and story / If I’m looking after my country / Then she’s looking after me / Cleansing my mind and my body, River to the sea / Washing over me.
To watch the video, which was shot at various sites important to Yaegl culture, and read the lyrics go to https://tinyurl.com/380crew-river.
The production was funded by the Yulgilbar Foundation.
Established in 2002, DPM is a registered charitable organisation that works with Indigenous young people in regional and remote areas of Australia, using contemporary storytelling techniques and audio-visual media to foster important social and cultural dialogue.