Gumbaynggirr Collective - 'Through the Smoke'

Desert Pea Media is very proud to present a new collaboration with the Gumbaynggirr and local Indigenous community of Coffs Harbour, NSW.
This production was created in November 2021 - an outcome of a unique, collaborative creative process between Desert Pea Media artists, local Elders (Jagun Elders Group), local cultural leaders and an incredibly talented group of young people from Coffs Harbour and Nambucca Heads.
The overall purpose of the broader project was to facilitate an important, inter-generational conversation about social and emotional well-being for Original Nations young people. Focusing on knowledge, education, cultural identity, wellbeing and connection to country.
Desert Pea Media projects involve a dialogue-based storytelling process that encourages participants to analyze 'the real', 'the ideal' and 'the bridge'. In simple terms this means critically thinking about how to create positive change for yourself, for each other and for our communities.
The project was funded and co-produced by Enterprise & Training Company (ETC) - a community orientated, not-for-profit provider of employment, training and business services in Coffs Harbour and along the East Coast of NSW and QLD.
The DPM team feel deeply honoured and grateful to learn, share and create with the Coffs Harbour community. These projects not only uplift and inspire audiences and community members, but everybody involved.
Special thanks to Ceharnie Martin, Aunty Jennie Rosser, Julie Powick and Corrinna Dahlstrom from ETC for all of your hard work and support to make this project possible.
Special thanks to all the TO's of Coffs Harbour - The Gumbaynggirr People, and all of the mob in the region that participated, welcomed us and shared their time, their stories and their country for the creation of this production. We are humbled and grateful for your trust and friendship.
CREDITS
Toby Finlayson - Project Director/Film Director/Facilitator/Co-Writer/Co-Producer
Roy Weiland - Film Co-Director/Co-Facilitator/Co-Writer/DOP/Editor/Graphics
Josh Nicholas - Music Producer/Co-Writer/Co-Facilitator
Scott Large - General Manager/Co-Producer/Co-Facilitator/Photographer/Graphic Design
Sari Mann-Wills - Trainee/Co-Writer/Co-Facilitator
Troy Robinson - Cultural Advisor/Co-Writer/Performer/Mentor
Nathaniel Sherwood - Audio Mixing/Mastering.
Ceharnie Martin - Co-Producer/Community Project Coordinator
Coby Cochrane - Camera 2
STARRING
Keith Olive, Jaydn Trindall, Carloin McKechnie, Brianna Schweikert, Isabella Kitchener-Waters, Khan Jarrett, Marley Dahlstrom, Avril Mercy, Cameron Simon, Jett Jarrett, Levi Quinlin, Jerrai Dahlstrom, Troy Robinson, Hayley Duck, Troy Backhouse, Kiara Thomson, Michael Jarrett & Mathew Devitt
LYRICS
This my dreaming - Gumbaynggirr Country saltwater and fresh
Connection to country and culture’s how I measure success
And my people been walking this land since time began
Following the footprints in the sand of Birrigan
Blood in the water, my people dealing with trauma
From slaughter - Gave them dog tags and called them flora and fauna
We here to warn ya ----- yeh we turnin’ the corner
So I can make a positive future for my son and my daughter (lezgo)
All the bad spirits go with the smoke
(bigaar yalga yarri juumbu)
All the good spirits come through the smoke
(garruroi maani yarri juumbu)
My old people gave me knowledge and hope
Way before them other fullas came here on a boat
We know who we are
We know where we’re from
We walk our country
Our culture keeping our people strong
Stories in stories, generations of nations
Connected in spirit, our roots build our foundations
We gotta keep the language alive, keep our dance alive,
We need to meet in the middle to keep our fire alight
if you’re in doubt, if you keep seeking it out
my old people and my culture gonna straighten you out (walkabout)
Why wha? Girriwaawa, new kinda freedom fighters
My people come together, .. we are the fire starters