Connecting to country

YORTA Yorta woman and artist Annie Brigdale has been working with local students on a new exhibition all about acknowledging country.

Brigdale holds visual arts sessions at several Greater Bendigo schools where students read out acknowledgements of country before major events.

However, when she realised that most of the acknowledgements were read off the same laminated piece of paper, she took it upon herself to work with the students to help them understand what it actually means.

“I introduce them to what an acknowledgement of country is, and I talk to them about what their connection to country would be and try and get them comfortable in writing and giving one,” she said.

“It’s important for them to feel comfortable that they can give one without having to read what’s off the page.”

Brigdale said visual arts is a great way for young people to engage with culture and has already seen students responding positively.

“Once I spend a few sessions with the students, at the end of it you ask them who would like to read an acknowledgement of country, the whole room puts their hands up,” she said.

“They’re proud and excited to talk about the country they’re on and how they connect to it. The change in such a short amount of time blows me away and shows me how important the work is.”

She said she wanted to show the wider community the work students have been doing and contacted multicultural hub the Old Church on the Hill.

Handwritten acknowledgements of country and artwork painted in traditional Aboriginal style can be seen at the space, available for viewing at the Old Church’s community feast space.