[streMunford]

They hunt to share. In indigenous communities the ones who share the most are the most appreciated, the most important. Every phrase in this is a gem..........

Here's a bit from the other side of the world:

Ethnoarchaeology in Indigenous Australia Field School Darwin and Timber Creek, Northern Territory
By Claire Keating 29/11/2010 21:44:00

From Wednesday 7 July until Sunday 18 July 2010, staff and students from the Flinders Archaeology Department, South Australia, participated in an Ethnoarchaeology field school in the Northern Territory.

This field school provided an opportunity for participants to work in close collaboration with members of two Indigenous groups; the Ngaliwurru-Wuli Association at Timber Creek and the Larrakia Nation in Darwin. As such, the primary aim of the topic was to provide an environment in which up-and-coming archaeologists’ could experience first-hand a best-practice philosophy to conducting Indigenous archaeology, one that takes as ‘ask first’ approach; working with and for Indigenous communities throughout the archaeological process.
Field work was split into two components – an ethnographic study of traditional bush medicines at Timber Creek (approximately 280km south of Katherine) and an archaeological survey at Southport, a township approximately 70km from Darwin. During the nineteenth century Southport was home to Asian, European and Indigenous inhabitants and is valued for its potential to contribute to the cultural history of the Larrakia people.
Timber Creek - Work at Timber Creek was undertaken in conjunction with the Ngaliwurru-Wuli Association, which represents 16 community groups within the region. Students assisted in the location, identification, recording and collection of traditional bush medicines and bush tucker and accompanied community Elders onto ‘Country” where medicinal plants were located and gathered. Field work culminated in a ‘Bush Medicine Festival’ which was held at the Timber Creek Racecourse on Saturday 10 of July. As the first festival of its type to be held in over 30 years, it provided an opportunity to bring together the different groups within the Ngaliwurru-Wuli Association, reignite a sense of community spirit and encourage the passing of cultural traditions between the old and young.
Helping organise the ‘Bush Medicine Festival’ was an excellent opportunity for Flinders archaeology students to work alongside a remote Indigenous community to ensure the continuation of traditional knowledge and practices. The entire process was a positive experience for all involved. For the community itself it was an encouraging experience to work alongside archaeologists whose concern was to work for and with them.
Darwin - During the Darwin leg of the ethnoarchaeology field school students worked closely with the Larrakia Nation and conducted an archaeological survey at Southport. This portion of the field school included a diverse range of activities that allowed students to both develop new skills and also build on existing knowledge. Work itself was divided into two components: documentary research in the Northern Territory Archives Office in Darwin and the field survey.
During the field work component students were given the opportunity to take part in the whole survey process including site location, transect walking, site recording, artefact drawing and sire mapping. As the first of three anticipated field seasons in this area, students were required to establish the extent of the Southport site, and record its archaeological features; this included the location and recording of non-Indigenous material (such as glass, metal and ceramics) that showed evidence of modification characteristic to Indigenous manufacture and use.
Throughout this process students were accompanied by members of the Larrakia Land and Sea Rangers and the Minbeni Rangers. This collaborative approach facilitated a remarkable sharing of information and experience between students and traditional owners. On the one hand the Larrakia shared their knowledge of bush medicine and some important places from their past; on the other hand, Flinders staff and students shared their knowledge about the archaeological process.
Working with the Larrakia gave Flinders students’ valuable experience in working with a community who are taking a pro-active approach in the management and maintenance of their traditional knowledge and practices. It was particularly interesting to note the reception offered by the Larrakia people. They were especially appreciative of the prospect of a new generation of archaeologists pursuing a beneficial outlook on Indigenous archaeology; as such they were very forthcoming and eager to convey their cultural heritage and history, and more importantly, how they wish their history and heritage to be handled.
One of the core concepts that became apparent while working with both the Ngaliwurru-Wuli Association and the Larrakia Nation was that as archaeologists we should see ourselves as tools for the continuation and renewal of traditional practices and knowledge rather than facilitators of it.
Claire Keating, Student, Master of Archaeology
Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia
http://www.flinders.edu.au Underlined bolding mine.

Every river begins on the high ground

As a barely visible trickle:

This is a thing I live by.

hoka hey


wódr̥