Uncle Richard ‘Balang/Japaljarri’ Fejo, a Larrakia Elder based in Darwin, will be providing a valuable insight to country as part of Padninthiyangga Ngadluku Purkgku – A Walking with our Elders Forum, being held in the Alere Function Centre at Bedford Park, from 9am to noon on Monday 22 March.

“Our spirit comes from the lands and sea, and through tens of thousands of years of having our footprints walk across the greater Darwin region, we have earned the right to speak for our land,” says Uncle Richie. “But for me, as a leader, I also need to find balance … for me, for my family, for my community and our needs. I have been encouraged to share my knowledge to set expectations for people living on or visiting our lands so I feel I need to educate people and this is what I have become passionate about.”

As part of Flinders University’s Indigenous Reconciliation Action Plan, all Flinders staff and students are invited to attend the coming Padninthiyangga Ngadluku Purkgku event, titled Knowledge of the Land: Speaking for Country.

Uncle Richie is part of a trio of respected Senior Elders On Campus who will be speaking at the event, along with Uncle Lewis Yarluburka O’Brien, Kaurna Elder based at Bedford Park, and Aunty Pat Miller, Arrernte Elder based at Alice Springs. They will be sharing their insight and wisdom about their Knowledge of the Land, explaining their practices of deep listening and elaborating their thoughts and perspectives in this enriching conversation.

This event is hosted by Office of Indigenous Strategy and Engagement and Poche SA +NT. Numbers for this event are limited, so please please register via the Eventbrite link to either attend in person at the Alere Function Centre or online.