Darebin Schools Yarning Conference
In its ninth year, the Darebin Schools Yarning Conference (DSYC) brought together 19 of the local Darebin primary schools to celebrate 50 Years of Deadly exploring the theme of NAIDOC Week, Truth-Telling, Treaty and Saying No to Racism.
The conference including a range of cultural workshops and celebrated students’ connection and knowledge of the key themes as they proudly held up their posters during the Walk for Truth with Travis and Renata Lovett, carried their school’s Wurundjeri message sticks, and shared their poetry.
The event was broadcasted live through 3KND and MC by Leila Gurruwiwi and Grant Hansen. An Acknowledgement to Country and words on Truth and Treaty were shared by Chris Hume and Sara Terry (Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation) to open the day. Jason Timaru stood in for Shiralee Hood who was an integral part of the pre-learning conference materials for the truth-telling poetry. He shared his yidaki and his connection to Sky Country.
Students proudly held up their posters for "teach us the truth", "Treaty", "stop racism", "we stand together" and many more messages amplifying the themes for the year through their posters and powerful poetry.
It was then with great excitement that "Uncle Travis" Lovett and Renata Lovett addressed the students about the National Walk for Truth and congratulated the schools that joined the Walk.
We moved off into the ten interactive cultural workshops that included traditional games, caring for Country planting with Narrap Rangers, cultural artefact creations and painting, dance and yarns with a range of cultural educators. The space was buzzing with energy as students created, danced and played together.
After a lunch break, we begun the Walk for Truth and Treaty led by Travis, Renata, Wurundjeri Educators, Gellung Warl's Engagement Team and Aboriginal Cultural Educators and students. The students held their posters up and walked to the four cultural stops for a Smoking Ceremony and yarn with the Wurundjeri Education Team, Treaty hand print with Gellung Warl, yidaki and poetry with Jason Timaru and message sticks and the Walk with Travis and Renata.
The day finished off with celebrating the students and teachers work, their commitments to bringing back the message to their schools and communities as Chris reminded them of their message sticks.
Reconciliation Victoria were honoured to be involved with the DSYC this year in organising the Educators’ Professional and Cultural Learning Day with Uncle Bill Nicholson, Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation Education team and the Darebin City Council Team. Thank you to Darebin’s Jackie Mansourian and Evander Mitchell for the opportunity and congratulations to the whole Darebin team for hosting an amazing day of hope, truth and connection!
Congratulations to all involved from the students and staff for completing the pre-learning conference work that enriched their experience of the day, to the cultural workshop facilitators, presenters and the Darebin team!
The DSNYC gives primary school students the opportunity to learn about Aboriginal stories and cultures and truth-telling, directly from local Elders and Indigenous organisations. The DSYC is regarded by many notable educators (including Independent Schools Victoria, Department of Education and Catholic Education) as an outstanding example of how to engage young people in learning about Aboriginal history and culture.
Learn more about the Darebin Schools NAIDOC Yarning Conference and see Darebin's video reel from the day.
