“It’s very different now, this is a change. They want to sit side-by-side beside us, and they actually want to hear our conversation.”
Pastor Frank Roberts Jnr, Widjabul Wia-bal Bundjalung Elder, following the 1973 Nimbin Aquarius Festival, as quoted by his daughter Rhoda Roberts in her speech in 2019 at The Terania Creek Protest exhibition opening, Lismore Regional Gallery.
Acknowledgement
We affirm and celebrate our shared 50+ year legacy of sitting side-by-side and listening with Bundjalung Community. We acknowledge the original people of the Bundjalung Nation as traditional custodians of the land on which we gather, keep archives and share stories. We respect Bundjalung Elders past, present and emerging and all First Nations people across this earth.
Collaboration
The 1973 Aquarius Festival theme of survival was about collective survival through collaborative relationships, not individualist competition. We collaborate by spending informal time together and getting to know one another, nurturing healthy relationships. We refuse to let the dominating culture kill our joy! We do this for the love of earth, community and all kindred beings in Bundjalung Country.
Right of Reply
AAC collects material about First Nations relationship with Nimbin Aquarius, as noted in the Collection Policy. AAC Collection of First Nations cultural materials is bound by legal and ethical obligations. AAC will work with best practise including right of reply and two-way caretaking that includes all materials associated with First Nations people.
Active Listening to Bundjalung Community
As part of Nimbin Aquarius relationship with Bundjalung Community, we:
- Prioritise Bundjalung Community needs and foster inclusion;
- Respect Bundjalung culture is alive and to be appreciated, not appropriated;
- Keep the Bundjalung Community informed of intent, practice and progress;
- Answer any questions from the Bundjalung Community;
- Not represent or speak on behalf of the Bundjalung Community at any time;
- Engage with open, positive and ethical interactions;
- Uphold our values (above);
- Share authentic story and listen well;
- Care for self, others, and diverse beings and entities, here and now.