Galiwinku Diary

Thursday Feb 5^th

The public Health team office was empty of staff when I arrived for my scheduled visit to deliver literacy/computer skills today – except for my 73 yo friend Wanumula who told me some stories about the mission days and her forbears. She and many Yolnu are of Christian faith from the Methodist mission days and in her religious perspective said the Holy Spirit spread down as far as the APY lands (northern South Australia). Christianity and the  Holy Spirit seems quite accessible for Aboriginal people given their spirituality which emphasises a creator spirit and a broad range of profound spiritual wisdom. She’s the daughter of the Rev Dr Gondarra  (see the film about him “The Law of the Land”) who had degrees in theology, lectured in Darwin at a bible college, was head of the Uniting Church Synod in the NT. He was was later the chairperson of a major Yolnu development corporation before his death in 2023. His daughter Dianne drops into the office and she  and Wanumula lament the loss of visionary leadership for Yolnu – leaders who like him could walk in both worlds – Balanda (white) and Yolnu. I contribute that the outgoing Balanda head of my corporation disappointingly has not arranged for his succession with a Yolnu replacement. Taking me by surprise Wanamula and Diane vigorously defend the importance of having a white CEO of their Aboriginal corporation that serves their region. Wanamula attends public health conferences with her colleagues, has a high level of oral English communication, but can barely read or write. I’m not even going to attempt to teach her phonics, reading and writing. My ongoing role with her will be interpreting and composing her emails!