Garma 2018

Just take a moment to absorb the detail of this image, captured by the Yothu Yindi Foundation's photographer Teagan Glenane. It speaks volumes - it tells me these kids are safe, it tells me they are engaged, it tells me they're happy, it tells me there are with their family units, it tells me they value their culture - in fact they're proud of it. It tells me the adult men with them are caring and are teaching.

This image makes me proud to have contributed to a community event that binds, and brings us together - and not apart. This image also tells me that for all the Closing The Gap reports, that for all the Indigenous disadvantage here in Australia - we should celebrate a win when we see it - for what it is - here on the bunggul grounds in Arnhem Land!

I write this today after absorbing a months worth of stories and feedback, on this years Garma. I'm savouring every moment of the good energy that has been an outcome of what a strong and powerful festival has to offer to a community, and I see it's offerings across the many activities and the complex angles it manages to deliver. These are five of my special moments for me as an Indigenous woman, as a mother, as a wife, the CEO of the Yothu Yindi Foundation and Garma's Director:

1. Reconciliation. The peace building and binding of relationships every year overwhelm me. There are countless numbers of people that have forged friendships at Gulkula, and it is telling when I'm able to understand where people are coming from and why they're attending Garma. Nine times out of ten they'll tell me that their family is connected in some fashion to a particular individual nine times removed from Garma - yet here they are, present and alive with excitement to attend;
2. Networking. An exceptional place to make an opportunity happen, and I see Garma working it's magic during and outside of the Garma period. I have witnessed kids going to schools down south, I hear friends catching up, asking after each others wellbeing, I see musicians negotiating gig's with companies into the future, I see Indigenous business being forged by Indigenous men and women themselves, I see again and again family units coming together in an environment of positivity, happiness and almost relief that we're not meeting at ANOTHER funeral occasion.
3. Growth. As I age, I notice the young ones growing into the amazing adults they are. I've watched our kids on the bunggul ground in nappies. I lock them in to Youth Forums or speaking occasions (much to their shame), or just to connect them with individuals that will play a major influence in their lives. And if it's not the kids that show the growth, it is the event itself. When we measure success in terms of data and statistics, we must remind ourselves that growth is also found in the immeasurables - the things that you can't show - such as the ability to hear vibrant Yolngu matha - one of Australia's Indigenous languages - spoken in rich abundance. To sit by the side of the bunggul grounds to hear the songs, to watch the dance 50,000 years old - is truly bliss. To wander to the escarpment and witness the fog shift in the morning light is spectacular. All this richness shouldn't be taken for granted.
4. Change. If I have ever used my influence it has been to create change. Garma and those who have trusted in my ability has allowed me to do this. To be gifted with the ability to influence for the better is truly special, and I appreciate that there is an abundance of people who have also put their shoulder to the wheel and also used their influence to make change happen in peoples lives. The Garma footprint is telling and it can never be undone, and it appears again and again across a broad fabric of Australian life. Change in the way Indigenous culture is perceived if you actually take the time to understand it's magic; change in the way a lifestyle is preferred and lived; change of opinion - there is not just a western way to think; change - in the way you understand and appreciate the wonders and dangers of nature. So many learnings to be had, and if you've every experienced Garma you have been given this special knowledge.
5. Appreciation. In so many ways I've learned to appreciate the smaller gifts of life. It's slapped me in the face a few times now to realise what is staring us in the face. For example, I sigh with appreciation every time I wake to the morning sounds of Arnhem Land's birds. I've had my best sleeps at Gulkula - and I always look forward to the pleasant weather - mother nature - bliss! After chasing the day's activities I'm always in awe of how reinvigorating a simple shower can be - and how lucky we are to have connected running water - we take this for granted. I appreciate the life that our elders have lived, and how hard they must have done simple things when times weren't so good. I appreciate how important it is to have a vehicle, especially given the distance that people travel across these remote parts. I will forever be in awe of troop carriers, they just love to be given a flogging in the bush, and they do get a hiding - and, my god, how do they just keep operating for so long??? Engineering and mechanical knowledge - genius! I am reminded time and time of the simple gesture of being offered help. How extraordinary are our fellow human beings, thank you for decency and respect.

Those are my 5 learnings that I have taken from Garma 2018. There are many more, but I will hold some of them for myself. I hope I've brightened your Sunday, and I hope that if you attended Garma this year - that you've also come away from Arnhem Land with some of your own special learnings to share with your own family and colleagues.

More spectacular Garma 2018 images HERE