Dreamtime stories for children

Presented by Adelaide Festival Centre’s Something on Saturday

Available from today, Our Stories invites viewers to take a seat around the proverbial campfire to hear from Senior Kaurna Man Uncle Mickey O’Brien, Ngarrindjeri Elder Aunty Stephanie Gollan and young Adnyamathanha woman Ema Bovoro

For many thousands of years, Australia’s First Nations people have been telling stories through dance, song, paintings, carvings, tools and spoken word – often around the campfire. These three storytellers from Aboriginal language groups across South Australia are sharing their cultural knowledge as part of a free online experience presented by Adelaide Festival Centre’s Something on Saturday program.

The launch coincides with National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day, with young people aged seven years and older encouraged to immerse themselves in the virtual event.

Our Stories includes a basket weaving demonstration with ‘Aunty Steph’, who shares the unique coil technique her people have passed down from generation to generation. 

“We’ve been using this technique for thousands and thousands of years, so by teaching it to others online, it’s telling an old story in a new way,” Aunty Steph said. “It’s still very popular, because it’s quite easy once you know how to get started with the first few stages.”

The collection of campfire stories is followed by an illustration workshop with Adelaide-based Yorta Yorta artist, illustrator and graphic designer Karen Briggs, who recently released her third children’s book. Karen talks about her illustration process and demonstrates how to create a storyboard.

As part of Adelaide Festival Centre’s centrED program, schools can download the Our Stories learning resource featuring exercises for students to explore their creativity through storytelling. 

Our Stories was made possible with help from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Development: Project Assistance grant from the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

For more info visit
www.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/events/our-stories

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