Djaara arts program gets underway

A NEW Indigenous led artistic enterprise has been launched in the region.

Titled Dumawul, the effort is being run by Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation, also known as Djaara.

Launched last Friday with about 100 people in attendance at an arts market, Dja Dja Wurrung Group CEO Rodney Carter said the program was about backing local Aboriginal creatives.

“The valuable contribution of our artists makes a difference to our society,” he said.

“The stories they tell through their creative craft are tools that educate and change minds.

“The only thing that stops us is others who judge us, place their values upon us and suppress the beauty of culture and what it can do.”

Pronounced ‘doomoowul’, Djaara general manager Cassandra Lewis said the new program was about providing support for First Nations artists and seeks to develop culturally safe understanding for those interacting with them.

“Dumawul means ‘thank you between two people, the giver and receiver of culture, in good murrup or good spirit’,” she said.

“This applies to cultural tourism, cultural competency development in educational services, and the visual and performing arts.”

Setting up a new business can be hard, but for some Indigenous creatives, it can be especially challenging.

That was the experience of Dja Dja Wurrung artist Peta Hudson, who said taking part in Dumawul has helped her.

“I’ve struggled with trust of systems and organisations. I feel I [now] have the best network of support for my business,” she said.

“Dumawul believed in me when I doubted myself. I can see how much I’ve grown with that support.”