Educational Resources Recommendations

Aboriginal culture, identity and spirituality are a very complex diverse continuing circle. They cannot be pulled apart and viewed as individual pieces as each complements and entwines with the other.

The DVD Kanyini and its teacher notes go the closest to explaining Aboriginal, culture, identity and spirituality in lay terms than anything I have viewed in the last 15 years.

I believe it will be of great value to all school staff and students particularly those Aboriginal students who may be struggling with finding their own identities.

Bob Randall's gentle but strong way of getting this story across allied to the sense of humour that shines through in his eyes makes me want to view this particular video many times as I seem to find something new every time I view it .

I have no hesitation in recommending this video to all school staff and secondary students. For Aboriginal students however I would prefer if their parents first viewed it to ensure that it does not offend.

Frank Pearce
State Coordinator Aboriginal Education
NSW CEC

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" I don't think you can have a proper teaching and comprehension of Australian history. " Mr Howard said, " without a proper understanding of Indigenous history and the contribution of the Indigenous experience to Australia's development and the Australian story."

In KANYINI the longer timelines of Australian history are explored with great clarity and sensitivity.

Whether you begin as an innocent, a well educated adult or a professional historian, the perspective of this extraordinary film enriches our sense of what it is to be Australian. Indeed it helps establish an original sense of place unique to this country.

The starting point is an accessible account of the inter-connected facets of Aboriginal philosophy. It is a narrative history that employs an authentic Indigenous practice of traditional oral history. Bob Randall's impressive education and experience allows him to structure a sophisticated analysis of the importance of land, family, community, culture and the spiritual realm of the Dreaming.

Establishing a trusted Indigenous narrative voice is one of the great accomplishments of this historical documentary. It allows us all to walk barefoot over the ancient pathways of the First Australians. We also walk in their shoes through the experience of contact with European Culture and all that followed. The emphasis constantly is on learning.

I have watched children and Australians of many ages discover through this film a journey we have been part of but of which so many of us remain thinly educated.

In his role as historian, former Aboriginal Australian of the Year, Bob Randall conveys no bitterness. The gentleness and consideration of this account draws us to see the complexity of the clash of cultures. Even when there are tears in the narrator's eyes this does not distort his sense of perspective.

The thrust of this history is towards greater understanding, an effort by black and white Australians to understand more of the past as a step towards a hopeful future.

Creating such a powerful and convincing account of the past and its impact on the present relationship of all Australians is very much due to the contribution of the film maker, Melanie Hogan.

It is a brilliantly directed film and in November 2006 won the Discovery Channel's Best Documentary IF Award and the Independent Spirit IF Award. The eloquence of the writing and the Narrative Voice, the authenticity conveyed by the stunning archival footage and the fair and balanced contrast with the squalor of so much present day community life gives great depth to this study of Aboriginal Australia. The film overlays traditional Indigenous practice and belief system with the dislocation created by a modern world operating with a vastly different set of priorities. By leaving no trace of her own fingerprints on the story Melanie Hogan has lifted it to the level of a genuine masterpiece of historical narrative.

On three occasions I watched diverse audiences of many educational levels hushed by this film into a deep contemplation of its truth. The Hon. Patricia Forsythe, a former History teacher, hailed KANYINI's value as a resource for the teaching of our shared history. The former NSW Premier, Nick Greiner said of KANYINI, "It belongs in our schools."

I believe strongly that it should be studied and respected along with the work of our greatest Australian historians.

In one brilliant hour of film KANYINI clarifies the history of more than two hundred years of black and white relations, without rancour and with unflinching honesty. KANYINI stretches our historical knowledge into past millennia until we have a far greater appreciation and understanding of Indigenous practice and philosophy, until we can appreciate why here in Australia we may still celebrate the world's oldest continuous culture.

Yours sincerely,
Jeff McMullen