Wajaar Ngaarlu dance troupe reflects on NRL Indigenous round
In front of more than 7000 people, one dance troupe gave a glimpse into the power of protecting a ‘critically endangered’ culture.
Coffs Harbour
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Clark Webb knows the positive impact practising culture can have on Aboriginal people and together with the Wajaar Ngaarlu dance troupe he showcased that to thousands.
Mr Webb said their performance in front of more than 7000 people at the NRL Indigenous Round match at C.ex Stadium was important for the preservation of “critically endangered” Gumbaynggirr culture and language.
“When we have these opportunities to promote our culture in that way and highlight the positivity and the passion for our culture – we need to take it,” he said.
As executive officer at Bularri Muurlay Nyanggan Aboriginal Corporation, Mr Webb has been instrumental in establishing programs to revitalise the Gumbaynggirr language, including in schools.
He said one of the biggest challenges was having people understand the importance of maintaining culture and language, including how it can improve health outcomes for Aboriginal people.
Ideas that Aboriginal culture was “less than everyone else's” still lingered, and Mr Webb had dealt with criticism there was little point in teaching Gumbaynggirr language over languages like Japanese or German.
But he considers those ideas as a type of “white supremacy” thinking.
“Revitalising our language and culture has a direct positive impact on health outcomes,” he said.
“Because revitalising our language equates to better happiness in our community and the health outcomes flow on from that.”
Growing with culture.
Amanda Donovan knew it was important for her sons to be connected to culture, especially 12-year-old Denzel who she said came out of his shell when around men like Clark and Jesse Shilling in the troupe.
“I knew the disconnectedness had a big impact,” she said. “I wanted him to be able to connect with culture and men with a strong cultural perspective.
“I wanted to give my son an opportunity to be part of the dance troupe and grow with culture.”
Denzel says he has enjoyed being part of the troupe these last three years.
“When I dance I just feel like I am connected with culture,” he said. “I feel like I am connected with the spirits.
“When I start to dance in front of people I get used to it. I haven’t felt shameful in front of people.”
Gradually, Ms Donovan realised she longed for it too and began dancing with Wajaar Ngaarlu in November. She said it was “meant to be”.
“It was a significant moment,” she said. “It has helped me overcome a lot of fears I have had in the past (and) it gives us both the empowerment we have been needing.”
Sending a message
Mr Webb said hosting Indigenous Round was great for Coffs Harbour and an opportunity to send a message about the importance and value in practising culture to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
“When we get this opportunity at NRL Indigenous round … we are demonstrating how important our culture is,” he said.
“Because I have grown up (hearing), and we still hear it today, that our culture is not worth doing.”
“The message to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community is for us to feel proud and confident in who we are. That is really important.”
Ms Donovan agreed.
“It is quite an empowering and proud moment for us to be able to practice culture and have it accepted at such as scale, just to be able to be proud of who we are,” she said.
“As adults we felt the butterflies, but when you are in the centre everything went and it felt natural.”
‘I gave him a fist bump’
At C.ex Stadium, Denzel wasn’t just dancing. In front of 7000 people he was given the opportunity to play the didgeridoo.
“It was a bit nerve racking,” he said. “It was the first time I had played the dig’ in front of people.”
The good times didn’t stop there, as the troupe formed a guard of honour for Shaun Johnson on his 200th NRL game, the Sharks halfback recognised Denzel from his visit to Orara High School and made his way over to say hello.
Three Sharks players had spent time earlier in the week talking to students in the Clontarf Academy about culture, making it in the NRL and life away from home.
“I gave him a fist bump. It was really cool,” he said.
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