Dr Wayne Atkinson, Yorta Yorta Elder Senior Fellow School of Social & Political Science University of Melbourne KAKADU VISIT, MAY, 2016 ‘Oncountry Learning Program’ University of Melbourne

Oncountry Learning Course: Yorta Yorta Nation Country https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQV_2rcEWzU&feature=youtu.be

Subject Structure: The Indigenous Studies Oncountry Learning course is a community based education program taught by Yorta Yorta people in their ancestral lands on the Murray River (Dhungala) in February each year. The subject is fully accredited towards a BA Degree within the School of Social and Political Science and Arts Faculty of the University of Melbourne.

Course Outline The Oncountry course gives students a deeper understanding of Yorta Yorta connections with the ancestral lands and their ongoing struggle to achieve land justice and the protection of their cultural heritage. Once a timeline of Yorta Yorta occupation is established, students are then introduced to the diversity of programs and service delivery organisations that operate in the region. Students gain a deeper  insight into the roles and functions of community based organisations and the diversity of programs that they deliver and the difficulties that organisations face in maintaining these programs in regional Australia.

Focus of Course Course focuses on range of relevant Indigenous political and historic themes covering: Indigenous Occupation past and present. colonisation & reserve history government policies & administration land, & cultural heritage protection Yorta Yorta struggle for land justice & self determination.

Course Content & Teaching Style The course is unique in  its teaching style-pedagogy . It draws on the rich repository of oral knowledge  and storylines of Yorta Yorta  History and Culture. This is supplemented by the disciplines of Archaeology, History, Politics, Legal studies and Natural Resource Management.  Subjects  taught are Indigenous rights based issues, focusing on land, water, cultural heritage, natural resource management,  and the environmental issues.

Learning Objectives Upon successful completion of this subject, students are expected to: Understand the nature and extent of Indigenous occupation and connections with the ancestral lands -past and present. Demonstrate an ability to work more effectively with Indigenous communities. Be able to articulate a more informed view of Indigenous history culture in regional Australia

Quality of Teaching Results, 2013-2015,

Feedback From Students ‘This is a most outstanding learning experience’ ‘There should be more field based courses in Indigenous studies like this’ ‘It is a more tangible form of learning being Oncountry and learning from the people’ ‘I would highly recommend this subject’ ‘Our Indigenous teachers and mentors provided stimulating and engaging discussion’ ‘This subject was well structured and all components were interesting’ ‘This subject changed my life’ ‘This is the best subject that I have done’ ‘The course is stimulating; challenging and is truly multidisciplinary, spanning history, politics, health, and ecology from an Indigenous viewpoint. ‘Our teachers were great, always incredibly engaging and very happy to discuss all of our questions and queries’

Yorta Yorta Occupation Timeline & Evidence of prior occupation

Images of Oncountry Learning

Ramsar Convention & China, Japan Migratory Bird Agreements (Ramsar comes under UNESCO which is a specialised agency of the UN System Barmah Moira Lakes, protected under Ramsar Convention (The signing of the Convention took place in 1971 in the small Iranian town of Ramsar (since then, it has taken the common name of the Ramsar Convention). China & Japan Migratory Birds Agreement: (CAMBA,1986 & JAMBA,1974,) Agreement on international cooperation for the conservation of migratory species & for the protection of specific habitats. Great Egret & White-bellied Sea-eagle (two birds BM listed). Other birds are Rainbow Bee-eater, Cattle Egret, Greenshank, Glossy Ibis, White-throated Needletail, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, Latham's Snipe, Red-necked Stint, Fork-tailed Swift and Caspian Tern (DCE 1992). White Breasted Sea Eagle Great Egret Japan, 2008

Cultural Heritage Values: Scarred Trees

Mound Sites: Barmah State Park Lagoon& Natural Food Storage System, Barmah Forest

Traditional Fish Trap System Midden

Cultural Continuity in the Yorta Yorta way Yanagai Yanagai Play, 2006 Andrea James Cultural Continuity in the Yorta Yorta way Wally & Sony Cooper: Yorta Yorta Dance Group Lin Onus, Jimmy’s Billabong Barmah Lake, Yorta Yorta country Yorta Yorta artist Lin Onus (1948 - 1996) spent much of his life bridging the gap between urban and traditional, art forms. He had a deep social conscience & his work has inspired a new generation of young Indigenous artists from south-eastern Australia. Lou Bennet & Tiddas Debra Cheetam Pecan Summer Opera Jimmy Little

Day of Mourning Protest, 1938 led to The Cummera Walk-Off, 1939

Yorta Yorta v State of Victoria & Ors, Trial (1994-2002) Barriers to achieving land justice under Anglo legal system & way Mabo principles are being applied by the Courts, perverted the course of justice in the Yorta Yorta case. Back to ‘Base Camp Politics’ - YY Agreement & BM Campaign.

Campaign for National Park & Joint Management

‘Keeping it for the Future’ Old Dhungala: Keep Her Flowin Keep the River Reds Dharnya Growin Maranooka & Thank you for your support for Yorta Yorta struggle Lunch at Morning Glory and on Bus at 1pm for Site Visits & Story Lines

Subject Guide & Video http://waynera.wordpress.com/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ep08IUSd5Q