Boorun’s Canoe
A story of cultural pride and intergenerational knowledge, showing until 4 Nov 2012 at the Museum of Victoria, Carlton, Melbourne
Boorun’s Canoe celebrates the traditions of Victorian Aboriginal culture and promotes its continuation and strength.
The Museum of Victoria exhibition tells the story of how Senior Gunai/Kurnai Elder Uncle Albert Mullett taught his grandson, Steaphan Paton, and other young men in his family, to build a bark canoe, an age old tradition that has been practiced for many years by the Gunai/Kurnai people of Gippsland. Boorun’s Canoe is a significant project showcasing the strength and pride of cultural knowledge being passed through generations and the vital importance of community maintaining and teaching culture.
Featuring in the exhibition will be the canoe and a series of powerful images taken by photographic artist Cam Cope that captures the canoe’s creation and floating by Steaphan and his family. Also part of the exhibition is a short film featuring the first floating of the canoe and the Gunai/Kurnai creation story of Boorun and Tuk, as told by Uncle Albert and his family in the heart of Gunai/Kurnai bushland near Lake Tyers.
More images from this terrific series by Cam Cope here
Crikey – would love to learn how to make one of those, or just try one out. They say the Eora women of Port Jackson (original name not known by me – apologies) could ride a bark canoe (rudderless) in a heavy swell, with an infant, while cooking a fish on a fire … IN THE CANOE
PS new link to Museum Vic site is http://museumvictoria.com.au/bunjilaka/whatson/past-exhibitions/booruns-canoe/ – and it’s Grace Karskens who writes about the canoeing talents of the Eora women
thanks Nicholas, will take a look at Grace Karskens too. I guess they had to catch the fish too. What a job!