Young First Nations Leaders: baring djuwima

Wawa (Hello) everyone!

At Epsom Primary School, our Young First Nations Leadership group is called 'baring djuwima'. Last year, the Djarra CEO/Board of Directors approved our request to use specific Dja Dja Wurrung Language, to name our Young First Nations Leadership group. The English translation of 'baring djuwima' is 'shared journeys'. 

We continue to embed Aboriginal perspectives in our classrooms and to develop the voice of our young Aboriginal leaders - the baring djuwima.

As Epsom's Koorie Education Liaison, it's been an absolute privilege to work with our Koorie Education Support Officer (KESO), Kerri Douglas to share journeys. The students have met with Kerri regularly throughout the year and as a Traditional Owner, she has shared her insightful knowledge and expertise with our students. 

Batak (take care),

Mrs Fullard

Working with Kerri, our current Year 6 leaders, decided to create a bush tucker garden to connect to Aboriginal culture - learning about, and connecting to, Country.  Bush tucker and native plants attract native wildlife, such as bees, birds, and larger native animals which is important for maintaining healthy ecosystems in our environment. The students researched the plants and we aim to create QR codes in the garden so that the school community learns about the cultural connection of these plants.

This year, our leaders developed a deeper understanding of Acknowledgement of Country. They learned that an 'Acknowledgement of Country': 

• is an opportunity for anyone to show respect for Traditional Owners and the continuing connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to Country.
• can be offered by any person and is given at the beginning of a meeting, speech or event, such as our school assembly.

There is no specific wording for an Acknowledgement of Country, just be sincere and, if possible, do some research on the Country you are acknowledging.

The baring djuwima leaders went through a thoughtful learning process with Kerri Douglas (KESO) to develop Epsom Primary School's Acknowledgement of Country. We use this acknowledgement in our daily yarning circles, at our assemblies and whole school events.  

Note: 'Welcome to Country' is delivered by Traditional Owners, or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who have been given permission from Traditional Owners, to welcome visitors to their Country. 

On Friday 13th of December, Weeroona College Bendigo and the Koorie Education Workforce invited our Year 6 baring djuwima leaders to attend the Koorie Transition Day. The event included a 'traditional games and artefacts' session with the KESOs. We wish our Year 6 baring djuwima leaders all the best with their future ambitions.

To support our students' learning, Mrs Ladd, Mrs Whyte and Mrs Fullard were recently invited to attend an 'On Country' day as part of a Koorie Education project. They participated in a smoking ceremony and learned about the local Aboriginal culture, including the significance of scar trees, and sustainability practices that have been utilised by Djaara (Dja Dja Wurrung People), who have lived on our traditional lands and cared for Djandak (Country) over many thousands of years.

We sincerely thank Kerri Douglas for the incredible support she has offered Epsom Primary School over the years. We wish you well with your new role at DUMAWUL’s Creative Arts and Cultural Tourism Hub in Bendigo’s Hargreaves Mall. As part of Grade 2's Local History excursion this term, we visited this beautiful space and the students asked Kerri lots of questions about the space and the local Aboriginal culture. If you haven't had a chance to visit yet - please check it out!