Yildaan Our Dreaming Track

Featuring art and photographs from Nambucca Heads in the beautiful Gumbaynggirr Country, this stunning picture book tells stories of Gumbaynggirr people, their living culture and connection to Country, from the award-winning team who created The Dunggiirr Brothers and the Caring Song of the Whale.

Giinagay, welcome, I'm Uncle Bud. I'm a Gumbaynggirr man, an Aboriginal Elder from Nambucca Heads. This is my Country.
I want to tell you about this place and about my Elders. I want everyone who comes here to know where they are.
I want them to follow in the footsteps of our ancestors and be part of Yildaan, our Dreaming track.

In Yildaan, Uncle Bud's story of being on Country mingles with ancestor's stories and shows how these two parts of life are inherently connected. Using a mix of Gumbaynggirr and English language, and combining photography and illustration, Yildaan includes artwork from Aunty Shaa's nieces and Uncle Bud's great nieces, Hannah Smith and Elaine Carmady, as well as a special story from Aunty Shaa who holds stories from the region.

Uncle Bud Marshall is a Waambung man of the Baga baga bari on Gumbaynggirr Country. Uncle Bud is a senior Traditional Custodian who has shared knowledge and wisdom with many people, especially young people, both near home and internationally. Uncle Bud is a senior cultural advisor and the Elder in Residence for Yandaarra, an Indigenous-led research collaboration with the University of Newcastle. Uncle Bud is Elder to many people in Gumbaynggirr Country and beyond; a guide, Uncle, leader, mentor and friend.

Aunty Shaa Smith is a Gumbaynggirr woman and story holder for her Country. Her mother is Gumbaynggirr and her father Bundjalung. Aunty Shaa is an artist, cultural facilitator and Aunty to many. Led by the Old Fellas and Country itself, Aunty Shaa's work shares the deep relevance of Gumbaynggirr Dreaming for today. Aunty Shaa leads Yandaarra, a research collaboration with the University of Newcastle on Gumbaynggirr Country.

Hannah Smith is a proud Gumbaynggirr woman, an artist, weaver, ranger/site officer, an advocate for change, preservation and protection of Aboriginal sites, culture and land. Hannah has been blessed to have grown up around a strong family of men, women and Elders that have passed down a profound respect for her culture. Hannah is passionate about passing on that taught knowledge to the younger generations though schools, universities, archaeologists, government and national parks.

Elaine Carmady is a proud Gumbaynggirr woman from Stuarts Point, an artist, and a Qualified Early Childhood Educator. As an artist, Elaine works in paint, pencil drawing, traditional weaving and language. Elaine loves to share her Gumbaynggirr heritage, and learning from her Elders - Parents, Grandparents, Aunties and Uncles. Elaine is passionate about reviving Gumbaynggirr language and teaching children and educators about Aboriginal culture and the importance of respecting the land and keeping culture alive.

In Gumbaynggirr language, Yandaarra means 'to shift camp together'. Yandaarra is a collaboration led by Aunty Shaa Smith under the guidance of the Old Fellas and Gumbaynggirr Country, with Uncle Bud Marshall and Aunty Shaa's daughter Neeyan Smith. Yandaarra includes non-Gumbaynggirr academics Sarah Wright, Lara Daley and Paul Hodge from the University of Newcastle, sitting on Awabakal and Worimi Countries. As Yandaarra, they walk together, shift camp together and live and work in, with and as Country. Yandaarra, the research project, is a re-creation story. It's about remembering what was (what is) as part of this re-creating. This work is about honouring Elders and Custodians past, present and future. Yandaarra have held workshops, yarned together, planted trees, gathered food, laughed and shared. When they look to how to shift camp - or shift their practices, relationships and ways of thinking about the land - using Gumbaynggirr Dreaming and Protocols is key. www.yandaarra.org