Yaamma Festival



Bourke 16 -24th October 2005

A Celebration of Indigenous Culture



The "Yaamma (welcome) Festival" is the first project to come out of
the

Bourke Aboriginal Community Working Party Plan.

It is designed to unite the community in bringing the core issues

Spirit, Soul, Heart, Mind & Body

of the new Community Plan into action & establish Bourke as a centre
of learning about Aboriginal Culture & a place of Healing.

The festival is being co-ordinated by a volunteer group of 8 youths
from the community - with the help of the members of the Bourke CWP, TAFE,
Community Groups & Local Council.

The creation of the Yaamma Festival is an exercise in community
development & aims to create a long-term, sustainable annual event
that will attract interest & visitors to the area, create a sense of pride &
identity in the community, and ultimately - provide a platform for creative
expression & celebration of culture not just for a one-day event, but for many
years to come.

As this festival is being co-ordinated by the youth - it is their ideas &
vision for the future that shapes the Festival project. It provides an
opportunity for youth to gain skills in festival co-ordination, sponsorship
acquisition, art direction, P.R & marketing & community development processes.





Some members of the youth committee after a festival meeting at the
Bourke ICC.

Pagan Burford, Bernard
Morris, Shane Boney, Matteo Blackman,

Val
Edwards, Lara Bennett, Nancy Konstantinou





It also provides a platform to bring important issues affecting remote
communities to the forefront such as; Environment (how environmental degradation
affects the spirit,soul,heart, mind & body of Indigenous communities), Health,
Identity, Culture & Celebration, Language etc. & provides a positive vehicle
through to create social change.



Planned events & activities for the 2005 Yaamma Festival so far include:



a.. An Indigenous Dance Convergence - dance groups from around Australia
are invited to come & represent their region in a one-day dance event to be
held on the Darling River.


a.. A 'walk-through' interactive history exhibit - history of Bourke to
incorporate oral history, (songs & stories), visual display, artwork, light &
sound put together by students at Bourke TAFE.


a.. Traditional Aboriginal Song, Dance, Art, & Craft
Workshops with local & overseas artists, craftspeople & musicians





a.. A Murdi - Paaki regional Youth & Adult Art Prize


a.. A regional short film competition & documentary screening


a.. "Longest Mural in Australia" record - community groups, schools,
women's' groups etc. are invited to submit a segment of mural (on calico) to be
strung together to make the longest Aboriginal painting with Spirit, Soul,
Heart, Mind & Body as a theme.




a.. Environmental Forum - inviting Indigenous (& non-Indigenous) groups
& communities to discuss issues & form partnerships in tackling environmental
issues affecting their region. This years' forum will be on Water issues, how
cotton farming, mining etc. impact on indigenous communities & the environment,
ways to bring these issues into the public eye & form partnerships along the
inland river systems to take action.












a.. Bush Tucker Day - a day of celebrating Australian Bush foods,
including; opening & tour of the bush foods & bush medicine gardens, education
talks, bush tucker street stalls, tasting & demonstrations (i.e. damper- making)
Schools are also invited to participate in this event.






a.. Poetry & Storytelling riverbank camp., including performance &
workshops


a.. Local Language Workshops - ringing back local language.
Locals & visitors will have the opportunity to learn the original
languages of the area.



a.. *The "Yaamma Games" - 1 day Cultural Olympics to include a Rugby
Knockout, Netball, Basketball, *Golf, Athletics, Traditional Indigenous Games &
Celebrity Coaching Clinics & Workshops.


These events will be updated throughout the year & website in under
construction.

The Yaamma Festival Group is currently seeking sponsorship/funding &
volunteers for the proposed activities & any help or advice is appreciated.

Participation from Environmental & Community groups is welcomed.



Correspondence: yaammafestival@...

******************************

don't forget this weekends festival

head down towards Goulbourn

turn left an Bungonia caves turn off

this is after Marulan

then follow the signs

still looking for volunteers for the community kitchen

Hi Everyone,

It sounds like a great festival next weekend (10-13th March) !!! Eco
friendly, tree planting/bush regen, enviro awareness generating GOOD VIBES and
GROOVIE MUSIC!!!

The inspired organisers have focused on creating beautiful music with
fantastic scenery

and have welcomed room for healing space and vegi community kitchen
(yeah!!)... if you would like to contribute to the healing space, kitchen, or
anything else within the festival please let us know as you may be entitled to
free entry and a group hug or two!!!!!!

Also, the Cockatoo Island fest looks awesome !! Well done Ona :) xox

Isn't it amazing that when you give, you end up receiving
unexpectedly?????

Smiles
SoFire
****************



shy shamans flyer below: for this Sunday 13th 6:30 sharp



Be at Thomas Hogan reserve top end of Francis street Bondi near Old Sth
Head Rd






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