learning from elders

Learning from EldersPublished on State Library of NSW (https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au)

Learning from Elders

Celebrate the dynamic identities of four Aboriginal Elders from the Sydney Elders exhibition and conduct a casestudy with Elders from your own community.

Student activities

Task no. 1

Four Elders, many stories

In 2018 celebrated Wiradjuri/Kamilaroi artist Jonathan Jones curated an exhibition in the State Library of NSW:Sydney Elders: Continuing Aboriginal Stories. This exhibition included the quote:

In Aboriginal communities our Elders are our libraries; they hold our knowledge and connect us to our pastwhile strengthening our future.

Each of the four Elders who were interviewed represent different clans and groups that have not only survived inSydney but have continued their ancestors’ legacy by actively contributing to their communities and to the growthand development of Sydney.

This physical exhibition has now been converted into an online experience on the State Library website.

Aunty Esme Timbery is a celebrated Bidjigal artist and elder from the Aborignal mission community of La Perouseon the shores of Botany Bay. Aunty Esme comes from a long line of Timberys and, like her ancestors, is arenowned shellwork artist whose work has been widely collected.

esme.jpg

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Aunty Esme Timbery {"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.sl.nsw.gov.au [1]\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/thumbnail\/public\/esme.jpg?itok=9jqoFlCE","thumbnailLarge":"https:\/\/www.sl.nsw.gov.au [1]\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/large\/public\/esme.jpg?itok=hto4zX7U","mediaDerivativeUrls":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.sl.nsw.gov.au [1]\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/thumbnail\/public\/esme.jpg?itok=9jqoFlCE","large":"https:\/\/www.sl.nsw.gov.au [1]\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/large\/public\/esme.jpg?itok=hto4zX7U","responsive__quarter_hd":"https:\/\/www.sl.nsw.gov.au [1]

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http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au






\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/responsive__quarter_hd\/public\/esme.jpg?itok=YUC_Lf6P","responsive__half_hd":"https:\/\/www.sl.nsw.gov.au [1]

www.sl.nsw.gov.au [1]\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/responsive__full_hd\/public\/esme.jpg?itok=KuEMvItR"},"mediaUrl":"https:\/\/www.sl.nsw.gov.au [1]\/sites\/default\/files\/esme.jpg","mediaMime":"image\/jpeg","clickUrl":null,"transcriptUrl":null,"width":410,"height":553} Caption on bottom

Aunty Esme Timbery is a celebrated Bidjigal artist and elder from the Aborignal mission community of La Perouseon the shores of Botany Bay. Aunty Esme comes from a long line of Timberys and, like her ancestors, is arenowned shellwork artist whose work has been widely collected.

Uncle Dennis Foley is a Gai-mariagal man from northern Sydney. He spent much of his early years growing up onhis gradmother's country on the northern beaches. Uncle Dennis has worked in education and has published abook on his country.

dennis.jpg [2]

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https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/files/images/dennisjpg


Uncle Dennis Foley {"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.sl.nsw.gov.au [1]\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/thumbnail\/public\/dennis.jpg?itok=R_6fJ1lD","thumbnailLarge":"https:\/\/www.sl.nsw.gov.au [1]\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/large\/public\/dennis.jpg?itok=evQR_Tn6","mediaDerivativeUrls":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.sl.nsw.gov.au[1]\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/thumbnail\/public\/dennis.jpg?itok=R_6fJ1lD","large":"https:\/\/www.sl.nsw.gov.au [1]\/sites\/de

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fault\/files\/styles\/large\/public\/dennis.jpg?itok=evQR_Tn6","responsive__quarter_hd":"https:\/\/www.sl.nsw.gov.au[1]\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/responsive__quarter_hd\/public\/dennis.jpg?itok=9e9bNMeA","responsive__half_hd":"https:\/\/www.sl.nsw.gov.au [1]\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/responsive__half_hd\/public\/dennis.jpg?itok=ilktVULu","responsive__full_hd":"https:\/\/www.sl.nsw.gov.au [1]\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/responsive__full_hd\/public\/dennis.jpg?itok=tBh0ChLe"},"mediaUrl":"https:\/\/www.sl.nsw.gov.au [1]\/sites\/default\/files\/dennis.jpg","mediaMime":"image\/jpeg","clickUrl":null,"transcriptUrl":null,"width":410,"height":553} Caption on bottom

Uncle Dennis Foley is a Gai-mariagal man from northern Sydney. He spent much of his early years growing up onhis gradmother's country on the northern beaches. Uncle Dennis has worked in education and has published abook on his country.

Aunty Sandra Lee is a Dharug elder from Blacktown, where she is an active member of the western SydneyAboriginal community. Her family is decended from Maria Locke, the first Aboriginal person to marry a Europeanand own property. Aunty Sandra has been involved in many organisations and sits on several boards, constantlypushing for recognition of Dharug people.

sandra.jpg [3]

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https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/files/images/sandrajpg


Aunty Sandra Lee {"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.sl.nsw.gov.au [1]\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/thumbnail\/public\/sandra.jpg?itok=xM1aVJfp","thumbnailLarge":"https:\/\/www.sl.nsw.gov.au [1]\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/large\/public\/sandra.jpg?itok=ncuyliu8","mediaDerivativeUrls":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.sl.nsw.gov.au [1]\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/thumbnail\/public\/sandra.jpg?itok=xM1aVJfp","large":"https:\/\/www.sl.nsw.gov.au [1]\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/large\/public\/sandra.jpg?itok=ncuyliu8","responsive__quarter_hd":"https:\/\/www.sl.nsw.gov.au [1]

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\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/responsive__quarter_hd\/public\/sandra.jpg?itok=cjPWnt09","responsive__half_hd":"https:\/\/www.sl.nsw.gov.au [1]\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/responsive__half_hd\/public\/sandra.jpg?itok=Rdg42olD","responsive__full_hd":"https:\/\/www.sl.nsw.gov.au [1]\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/responsive__full_hd\/public\/sandra.jpg?itok=e9Oru8F2"},"mediaUrl":"https:\/\/www.sl.nsw.gov.au[1]\/sites\/default\/files\/sandra.jpg","mediaMime":"image\/jpeg","clickUrl":null,"transcriptUrl":null,"width":410,"height":553} Caption on bottom

Aunty Sandra Lee is a Dharug elder from Blacktown, where she is an active member of the western SydneyAboriginal community. Her family is decended from Maria Locke, the first Aboriginal person to marry a Europeanand own property. Aunty Sandra has been involved in many organisations and sits on several boards, constantlypushing for recognition of Dharug people.

Uncle Charles 'Chicka' Madden is from Gadigal country and is a recognised member of the Redfern and inner-citycommunity. Uncle Chicka worked in the construction industry for most of his life, and has been invovled in manyorganisations including the Aboriginal Medical Service and Redfern All Blacks.

chicka.jpg [4]

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https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/files/images/chickajpg


Uncle Charles 'Chicka' Madden {"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.sl.nsw.gov.au [1]\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/thumbnail\/public\/chicka.jpg?itok=7-GXdJTj","thumbnailLarge":"https:\/\/www.sl.nsw.gov.au [1]\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/large\/public\/chicka.jpg?itok=M8MhNS1y","mediaDerivativeUrls":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.sl.nsw.gov.au [1]\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/thumbnail\/public\/chicka.jpg?itok=7-GXdJTj","large":"https:\/\/www.sl.nsw.gov.au [1]

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\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/large\/public\/chicka.jpg?itok=M8MhNS1y","responsive__quarter_hd":"https:\/\/www.sl.nsw.gov.au [1]\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/responsive__quarter_hd\/public\/chicka.jpg?itok=g5RErq62","responsive__half_hd":"https:\/\/www.sl.nsw.gov.au [1]\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/responsive__half_hd\/public\/chicka.jpg?itok=osMUzZ2V","responsive__full_hd":"https:\/\/www.sl.nsw.gov.au [1]\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/responsive__full_hd\/public\/chicka.jpg?itok=Kcqbrzci"},"mediaUrl":"https:\/\/www.sl.nsw.gov.au [1]\/sites\/default\/files\/chicka.jpg","mediaMime":"image\/jpeg","clickUrl":null,"transcriptUrl":null,"width":410,"height":553} Caption on bottom

Uncle Charles 'Chicka' Madden is from Gadigal country and is a recognised member of the Redfern and inner-citycommunity. Uncle Chicka worked in the construction industry for most of his life, and has been invovled in manyorganisations including the Aboriginal Medical Service and Redfern All Blacks.

Answer this question:

What makes someone an Elder? Are all elderly people ‘Elders’?

Watch [5] the video of Uncle Dennis, a Gai-mariagal man from northern Sydney who has a deep knowledge of hismother’s country.

Answer these questions:

What kinds of changes has Uncle Dennis observed in the physical environment of Sydney over the courseof his life?How did government actions impact Uncle Dennis, his family and his community?

Watch [6] the video of Aunty Sandra, a Dharug Elder from Blacktown, where she is an active member of thewestern Sydney Aboriginal community.


Identify some of the social and political forces that have impacted Aunty Sandra’s identity.Why is land reclamation important to Aunty Sandra?Why does Aunty Sandra say that before the 1960s it “wasn’t smart to talk about being Aboriginal”?

Watch [7]the video of Uncle Chicka, who is from Gadigal country and a recognised member of the Redferncommunity.


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https://sydneyelders.sl.nsw.gov.au/uncle-dennis-foley

https://sydneyelders.sl.nsw.gov.au/aunty-sandra-lee

https://sydneyelders.sl.nsw.gov.au/uncle-chicka-madden


How do Uncle Chicka’s stories demonstrate an undervaluing of the contribution of Aboriginal people on themodern fabric of Sydney?How does Uncle Chicka express his culture through art and sport?

Watch [8]the video of Aunty Esme, a celebrated Bidjigal artist and Elder from the Aboriginal mission community ofLa Perouse on the shores of Botany Bay.


How does Aunty Esme express her identity through art?What was the impact of moving people from their land to missions around Sydney?

Read more information about each of the Elders on the Sydney Elders online exhibition.

Complete the activities below by combining the stories of all four Elders.

Create a mind map of all social and political factors referred to in these videos that have affected the livesof these Elders or their families.Describe the diverse ways that these Elders express their Aboriginality (for example, through art, sport,activism, etc).Create a venn diagram showing the factors that contribute to the Aboriginal identities of two of the Elders,and the ways they express their Aboriginality. Why might these individuals have different interpretations ofAboriginal identity?Choose one Elder and explain how their story demonstrates resilience.

Task no. 2

Community consultation

The Library works proactively with Aboriginal communities across NSW concerning the preservation andmanagement of Indigenous documentary heritage resources. We are guided by the protocols and statements ofbest practice outlined in the NSLA document Working with Community: Guidelines for collaborative practicebetween libraries and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities [9].

Read the NSLA document carefully, especially the section Identifying a process (pages 3-7).

Answer the following questions:

What is the most appropriate way to make initial contact with community members?What research should you conduct before making contact with a community?What information should you include in your first contact with community representatives?What are some general protocols to follow in your face-to-face meetings with community representatives?After the project is complete, how can you maintain relationships with the people you have met in thiscommunity?

For additional information you can read the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Library, Information and ResourceNetwork (ATSILIRN) protocols which inform the work of organisations such as State Library NSW. These are

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https://sydneyelders.sl.nsw.gov.au/aunty-esme-timbery

https://www.nsla.org.au/sites/default/files/documents/nsla.indigenous-working-with-community-guidelines.pdf

https://www.nsla.org.au/sites/default/files/documents/nsla.indigenous-working-with-community-guidelines.pdf


available on the ATSILIRIN website [10].

Task no. 3

Elders of your community

Elders hold great wisdom, knowledge and culture gained through a lifetime of experience and learning, and it isvitally important to show them respect. Elders may choose to share stories about their lives, knowledge and culturalpractices as an act of generosity for the benefit of others in their community, or as part of their culturalresponsibilities to pass on knowledge, language and traditions. However, you must also respect that Elders maychoose not to share stories for many different reasons; for example, some cultural knowledge may only be suitablefor particular people to learn, or some traumas may be difficult to discuss, particularly with strangers. Additionally,many Elders are busy with personal, cultural and professional obligations and are not always available to providetheir time.


What does respect mean to you?How can you show respect for Elders?

Using appropriate protocols from Task 2, make contact with at least two Elders in your community and interview them.

Review your answers from Task 2 about the process of community consultation and consider how they will apply toyour local community.

Identify the Aboriginal community or communities in your local area.Do you already have trusting relationships with Aboriginal Elders from your community?List all of the Aboriginal organisations in your area who may be an appropriate point of contact.Are there any cultural protocols specific to your community that you should be respectful of? If you don’tknow – how can you find out?Are there any sensitive issues you plan to ask about? Make a plan to show respect if people find sometopics difficult to talk about.Would you plan to pay Elders for their time and knowledge? Why or why not?

Write the questions you would like to ask your Elders to learn about their life stories. Include questions that willreflect on:

How the Elder’s identity has changed over timeHow the Elder’s Aboriginal identity has been impacted by social and political forcesHow the Elder expresses and celebrates their culture todayChanges that the Elder has experienced in this place over time

Write an explanation of your project that you can send to your point of contact. Be specific about:

Who would you like to contact?Why do you want to contact them?What would you like to learn about?How would you like to record your conversation (for example, video, audio recording, or by taking writtennotes)?

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https://atsilirn.aiatsis.gov.au/


Any timeframes or limitations you may have (for example, travel limitations or due dates).

Source URL:https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/learning/aboriginal-identities-sydney-elders/learning-elders

Links[1] http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au [2] https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/files/images/dennisjpg [3]https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/files/images/sandrajpg [4] https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/files/images/chickajpg [5]https://sydneyelders.sl.nsw.gov.au/uncle-dennis-foley [6] https://sydneyelders.sl.nsw.gov.au/aunty-sandra-lee [7]https://sydneyelders.sl.nsw.gov.au/uncle-chicka-madden [8] https://sydneyelders.sl.nsw.gov.au/aunty-esme-timbery[9] https://www.nsla.org.au/sites/default/files/documents/nsla.indigenous-working-with-community-guidelines.pdf [10] https://atsilirn.aiatsis.gov.au/

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http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/learning/aboriginal-identities-sydney-elders/learning-elders

http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/files/images/dennisjpg

http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/files/images/sandrajpg

http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/files/images/sandrajpg

http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/files/images/chickajpg

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