DREAMING and creation stories were shared around the crackling of a campfire at Eight Mile Creek over the long weekend with Boandik families coming together to celebrate their culture.
Around 20 members of the Boandik family gathered for the traditional storytelling event with elder Michelle Jacquelin-Furr sharing the dreaming story of how Boandik ancestors discovered fire and the creation story of Craitbul.
Children and adults took part in the traditional chant and dance as their ancestors would do when whales washed up on the Victorian and South Australian beaches.
Gathering each year, the families participate in a number of traditional activities including net and spear fishing, with families travelling from as far as Adelaide, Melbourne and Western Victoria.
Mount Gambier’s Mark Lovett was among many to participate in the weekend’s events which he describes as critical for the Boandik culture.
The specific area the family resides at also has a special meaning for Mr Lovett, with his father’s ashes spread on the country and in the ocean near the site.
“We have been doing this for many years as a way for families to stay connected to the country as we are spread out all over South Australia and Victoria,” Mr Lovett said.
“It is important that we keep these traditions alive to ensure our culture lives on through to the next generation.
“With my father’s ashes there we know the children will be safe in the water and on the land as he is looking over them.”
Mr Lovett hoped the stories remained alive through his children and would be passed down for generations to come.
“This is what our ancestors did and it is important to relive that tradition and keep it going,” he said.
“The kids enjoyed reconnecting with their family on country.”
Kaiden and Levi – children involved in the weekend’s activities – said they loved the opportunity to further learn about traditional culture despite not being of Boandik descent themselves.
“I loved the Craitbul story and learning how the fire was made for the Boandik people,” Kaiden said.
“I also liked watching everyone do the dance around the fire because that is what Aboriginal people used to do when they found a whale on the beach.”
Levi said he enjoyed learning the history of Boandik culture, further encouraging him to participate in future events.
“I liked learning about how the Boandik people did things and I was sad to learn the culture got lost,” Levi said.
Aunty Michelle said the tradition of Boandik families gathering was important to ensure cultural events are kept alive.
“We go back to how it was with our ancestors because that is how we tell stories,” Aunty Michelle said.
“It was all about learning from the elders and the uncles and aunties and the little ones loved it.”
With stories being swapped around the campfire during the night, Aunty Michelle said both children and adults enjoyed the evening and encouraged the event to continue in the coming years.
“It was Boandik families getting back to our culture which is how we celebrate the long weekend,” she said.
