Sharing stories from around the world

An InterNational Indigenous Peoples’ Village will be one of the features of this year’s Bellingen Global Carnival, which runs this weekend from Friday to Sunday (September 30 to October 2).

Hosted by Southern Cross University’s Gnibi College of Indigenous Australian Peoples, in partnership with the Southern Cross Business School and the Bellingen Global Carnival, the Village will provide an opportunity for local, regional and international participants to share stories about their experiences and challenges.

Dr Simon Wilde, a facilitator from the Southern Cross Business School, said one of the key aims of the Village was to provide a forum to understand the challenges people face, particularly in relation to education participation.

“We are delighted to be participating in the Carnival, which draws people from throughout Australia and overseas. It provides a wonderful opportunity to open a conversation with Indigenous and non-Indigenous people about how we can encourage and enhance education,” Dr Wilde said.

“We have a number of Elders coming as well as international visitors.”

Professor Adrian Miller, head of Gnibi College of Indigenous Australian Peoples, said the collaboration with Southern Cross Business School would also explore the possibilities of an international Indigenous exchange program.

“We are collecting and seeking the views from both Aboriginal and international Indigenous peoples about the foundations on which such a relationship should be based. It's an exciting project and we envisage strong input from Aboriginal Elders," Professor Miller said.

Johnnie Aseron, who is the international research liaison for Gnibi, will be leading the public forums in the Village and the opening performance of the carnival on Friday night. Also participating in the three-day carnival will be Neyooxet Greymorning, an Adjunct Professor with Southern Cross University.

The three-day carnival held at the Bellingen Showgrounds will bring together performers and artists from around world including New Orleans bands Jon Cleary and the Philthy Phew and The Dirty Dozen Brass Band. Another highlight of the carnival will be tribal women from Leweton, Vanuatu, performing their water music.

Details of the event are available from the website https://www.youtube.com/user/belloglobalcarnival

Photo: Dr Simon Wilde, from the Southern Cross Business School, and Johnnie Aseron, from Gnibi College of Indigenous Australian Peoples, will be attending the Bellingen Global Carnival.