National IMW 2023: A Call to our Indigenous Nations

The Wilin Centre for Indigenous Arts and Cultural Development, part of the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music at the University of Melbourne, works with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to identify, recruit and support potential and practising Indigenous artists, as well as providing professional development opportunities for Australia’s First Nations peoples. Winyama’s longstanding relationship with the University began with Managing Director Andrew Dowding’s collaboration with Associate Professor Sally Treloyn on the Hearing Histories West Pilbara Project; an accessible online resource mapping archived recordings of Aboriginal Tjabi traditions. This initial collaboration laid the groundwork for deeper connections, and Andrew later became a PhD candidate through the Wilin Centre. The growth of these relationships, rooted in mutual respect and shared values, organically led to a partnership for hosting Winyama’s National Indigenous Mapping Workshop (IMW). Initially scheduled for 2020, it wasn’t until 2023, when it was safe to gather again, that this vision for meaningful collaboration eventuated. 

Fanning the Flames

The Wilin Centre is a hub for Indigenous persons of the Kulin Nations and beyond. Tiriki Onus, Head of the Wilin Centre, has been actively working to strengthen the Wilin Centre’s position with local and interstate First Nations peoples. 

“Winyama had the network and cultural authority that we were looking for. Similarly, Winyama was looking for a partner that shared a like-minded vision. The Indigenous Mapping Workshop comes from a place of strength; we’re not coming to this place cowed by the pain and loss of invasion, and we're not coming from a deficit-based discourse. This is about engaging with Country and continuing to fan the flames of our cultures that have thrived for thousands of generations.”

- Tiriki Onus, Head of the Wilin Centre

Hosting the Workshop at the University of Melbourne’s Southbank Campus

The National Indigenous Mapping Workshop 2023 was hosted at the University of Melbourne’s Southbank campus during Winter break. The University provided crucial administrative, logistical, and cultural support in the lead-up to the event, as well as dedicated spaces for the workshops throughout the week.

Our Indigenous Mapping Workshops are centred around five core elements: Culture, Community, Yarning, Subject Matter Experts, and Relevance. The choice of venue plays a vital role in fostering Culture, Community, and Yarning. 

For all that we got out of it, the University benefited too. Informing broader strategic documents, reinforcing best practice models, and fostering community relationships are all positive outcomes, Tiriki says, that have come from supporting Winyama’s Indigenous Mapping Workshop. 

Tiriki commenced the IMW with the Lighting of the Wilin (meaning ‘fire’ in both the Boon Wurrung and Woi Wurrung languages), a special unifying moment of celebration that welcomed all participants and set the tone for the days ahead. Reflecting on the experience, Tiriki shared, “There’s something really powerful about a hoodie, right? Everyone dressed the same, there was a very visible sense of connection and coming together. Standing there, ready to assist in the Lighting of the Wilin and looking out at the crowd assembled. It was quite extraordinary and beautiful.”

National IMW 2023 at the University of Melbourne Southbank Campus