INDIGENOUS STORYBOOK

growing up I didn’t have a lot to do with my own
culture. It has really been a process of accessing
knowledge through my Elders which wouldn’t have
happened if it wasn’t for some key players who
have mentored me, and taken me out on Country.
Our culture has been disconnected, disengaged and
fragmented and there are many younger people
who are seeking to find out about their own cultural
identity. Many of these kids are being proactive by
going out on Country and speaking with their Elders
to gain this knowledge.
As part of this disconnection, my role is to continue
to share the culture, not just for Aboriginal people
but for everyone. The Elders have told me it’s
not just mine to know, the knowledge belongs
to everyone. I view the trail at Piney Lakes as a
reconciliation trail as well as an education trail. It is
about creating awareness and passing on information
that will hopefully open people’s eyes to new ways of
seeing things.
Bidi Katitjinny trail located at
Piney Lakes
People who do the tours really love the experience,
they respond so positively. Since I’ve started this
business, I’ve found that a lot of people are actually
seeking something greater than themselves. Often
what they find is there is a missing element in their
lives and they discover it is actually a disconnection
to Country. People will often say to me, “You guys
(Aboriginal people) just get it, you can look at a plant
and you know how to use it.” That is often the type
of information people are seeking.
They are local Australian people but they have a
disconnection around their own knowledge to do
with the environment that sustains them. Once that
clicks, during the tour, you can see the onion layers
just fall off them and they lap up the information.
They walk away and I might get an email or phone
call saying, “Wow I actually know what I need to do
in this life with myself, with my family.” Hearing this
feedback is incredibly rewarding; to know that you
can help someone see through our eyes and connect
through our ways is very powerful.
I have many plans for Bindi Bindi Dreaming’s future.
I am focussed on continuing to ensure through
this business, I can reach more people and create
awareness and understanding about our people
and culture. I want to share the many positive and
interesting elements of Aboriginal culture with the
whole world and do it in a culturally sensitive way.
If two people can walk away from my tours with a
different mindset, I’ve done my job.
Marissa Verma
For more information or to
book a tour visit:
http://www.bindibindidreaming.com.au/
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