Aboriginal Elders from around South Australia gathered at the Adelaide Convention centre on the 16th of July to celebrate NAIDOC week with the screening of our new film, There I Was, Here I Am.
After a beautiful Welcome to Country by Uncle Moogy Sumner, the crackling of a fire rang from the speakers as Elders sat to enjoy their delicious meals. Keep The Fire Burning: Blak, Loud & Proud, was this year’s NAIDOC theme. Filling the room were not just our auntys and uncles, but powerful players in the ongoing struggle for Aboriginal justice South Australia. This year, we really wanted to recognise this – our Elders as trailblazers who will pass on the responsibility of the fire to the younger ones.
There I Was, Here I Am is a project we got off the ground with support from the National Indigenous Australians Agency as a recipient of their NAIDOC local grants. We wished to embark on a storytelling project that would celebrate the achievements and impactful lives of the Elders we support.
Everyday our Coordinators, advisors, and other team members speak with Elders who often reveal the interesting experiences they have had. With Aboriginal Community Services having a strong connection to community and access to stories within it, the opportunity presented itself to platform Elders and help them have their stories heard more widely.
The documentary featured Ngarrindjeri Elder Uncle Mulla Sumner, Kaurna Narungga Elder Aunty Frances Chantrill, and Ngarrindjeri Narungga Elder Uncle Craig Dodd. Each of them brought with them a rich life experience, with dark times as well as incredible achievements. The three of them shared the ways they got through adversity, and what their guiding ethos have been in life to help them achieve what they have for themselves and for community. Each of them worked in service of their community – whether it was managing Aboriginal Hostels, cultural teaching, or chairing health corporations.
Aboriginal Community Services hopes to collaborate with more members of our community to celebrate their stories and lives. We know that storytelling is an important part of truth-telling and is one of the many ways we can contribute to keeping the fire burning.
After a large dose of inspiration, it was time for dessert. The room was buzzing with chatter, and the magical feeling that arises at all of our big events was ever-present. Auntys and Uncles excited to see each other, to yarn, and celebrate one another.
