As part
of a student aspirations program in Canberra, I recently ran writing workshops
with Koori kids in Years 7-10. Over the
two days I got to experience first-hand the quick creative minds of over twenty
students who loved to read, write, spin yarns and to my delight, many also
illustrated their own words.
Within
the group were cousins Kaylarnie and
Tenisha Reed, grand-daughters of poet and activist Kerry Reed-Gilbert and great-grand-daughters
of the late Kevin Gilbert, playwright, poet and author of Because a White Man’ll Never Do It. Clearly the writing gene is being carried on through the generations.
Also at the workshop were students from Weetangera Primary School who
generously gifted me a copy of a book they had already published. Old Way New Way looks at traditional art
and culture alongside modern day mediums and ways of doing things. For example
the kids use clapsticks old way and play musical instruments like the sax, new
way. They like rock art old way and digital art new way.
The book was designed by the students as a 'home reader' style book, as well
as a celebration of the journey that the school’s "Yirri Dancers"
have been on. Pretty deadly effort to say the least.
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