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Project Background

Traditional Cultural Practices (TCP)

TCP is a non-government organisation with projects centred on the Traditional homelands of the people of the Yuin Nation (NSW) ,Yolngu Nation (N.T) and Communities of Cape York (QLD). TCP’s work supports First Nation People to live on their Traditional lands keeping their Communities strong and safe and in doing so keep their Culture alive.

Yolngu are the best people for the healing process. We speak our own language, know our people and our Culture.”… Banduk Marika, The Elders Report into Preventing Indigenous Self Harm and Youth Suicide.

Gayili Marika Yunupingu

Gayili is a senior female Elder of the Gumatj clan, of the Yolngu Nations, North East Arnhem Land. Galupa, Gayili’s homeland, is where Maccassan people from Sulawesi Indonesia landed their boats and camped and traded in Melville Bay during the historical (pre colonisation) Maccassan trepanging season. It also remains significant as a traditional law safe haven and as a memorial site for the fight for land rights during the original establishment of mining operations in the Gove Peninsula region.

Gayili is the custodian of Galupa and the surrounding areas. She and her family live in an open shed on the outskirts of the mining town of Nhulunbuy.

Gayili is a nationally awarded champion of Indigenous suicide prevention, and her tireless work on the streets, often late at night, has reduced the suicide rate in her Community from the world’s worst to zero. In 2015 she was a member of the Prime Minister’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Advisory Group.

Peter McConchie – TCP Director of Projects

Peter grew up with close Cultural and Family ties to the Clan groups of North East Arnhem Land NT and is deeply connected to the Cultural lore of the Yuin Nation NSW. He has travelled the Australian continent for over thirty years, working in remote First Nation Communities.

Peter’s earlier work revolved largely around reducing indigenous youth suicide through connection to traditional Culture with the Elders. In 2013 he photographed, recorded and produced “The Elders Report into Preventing Indigenous Self Harm and Youth Suicide” and in 2014 co- founded Culture is Life an organisation dedicated to Cultural support for at risk Indigenous youth.

As an author and photographer Peter has recorded, transcribed and written seven books on traditional Cultural life and on the Australia Environment. He is published through Penguin Books, Pan Macmillan, Hardie Grant and Cambridge University Press.

Collaboration with Amrita Australia Limited

Earlier in 2019 Peter came to the Melbourne ashram and had a productive discussion with AAL representatives. During Amma’s 2019 Melbourne program, Peter was introduced to Amma who was pleased to know how First Nation People and their Cultural practices are being supported and encouraged further.

As a consequence of these meetings and, specifically for Amma’s Organisation, Peter presented the Galupa Homeland Project proposal. And in late July 2019 Amma gave her approval and blessing to proceed with funding the project.

AAL and Amma’s Organisations in Australia are honoured to be working with the Yolngu Elders, Gayili, Peter and the Young Women living at Galupa to support the Galupa Homeland Project.

All donations are welcome to further support this project. Tax deductable donations through Amrita Australia Limited can be made online.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE

To find out more about this project email:  info@amritaaustralia.org.au

Thank you for your support!

AAL acknowledges and respects Elders past, present and emerging. It is they who provide our vision. It is they who guide us. We are responsible to the land as we are to the generations that follow. It is the land that gives us health, life & meaning. The young ones, and the generations that follow. They hold our future…