Spirit of the Land Foundation works in the areas of intergenerational Learning, intercultural  sharing, cultural recording and cultural renewal through direct adminisdtration of projects and support for worthy projects run by other organisations. Some of our projects for 2006-7 include:

Support for ‘Our Song Story in the Land’ Cultural recording and intergenerational learning project. (ongoing)

This project is run by Kaltjiti Arts in Fregon, Central Australia. It involves taking elders to record their Inma, songs and stories while travelling with members of the next generation along their songlines.

These trips involve visiting law sites in their country, hearing the creation stories and learning the Inma song and dance for each place. This is also recorded for future generations through digital Audio and video.

Spirit of the Land Foundation purchased Digital Audio recording equipment to be used for this purpose. It has been used successfully for this project and is also available to other communities wanting to carry out similar projects.

The Foundation has also supported this project by writing a number of grant applications to various funding bodies on behalf of the project.

Archiving of Photographic Material

Spirit of the Land Foundation funded the digital archiving of a significant collection photos of people and events in Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands. This collection is now held by Ara Irititja, a community historical archive on APY lands.

Support for the ‘Return of the Cicada Dreaming’ performance at the Warwick Peace Festival.

One of our board members, John Allan was significantly involved in the development of this performance piece, and performed the role of Narrator in the performance. Through our links with LightnUp, the organisation that runs the Lismore Lantern Parade we were able to help the group source a number of lanterns and props and stage a Lantern Parade at the end of the Warwick Peace Festival.

Fundraising for a Memorial for Nganyinytja OAM. (Ongoing)

Sadly our founder Nganyinytja  passed away on the 17^th April 2007. the Foundation is raising funds for a memorial to commemorate her remarkable life.

Fundraising for a Documentary and book on Nganyinytja’s Life (Ongoing)

At the request of Nganyinytja’s family the foundation funded the filming of her funeral, and is fundraising for a documentary of her life that is being produced by Dr Diana James.  Diana is also well advanced on a book she is writing on Nganyinytja’s  life that the Foundation has committed funds to.

Indigenous Cultural Program for the Lismore Lantern Parade (Ongoing)

The Foundation is collaborating with LigntnUp to develop an indigenous cultural program for the Annual Lismore Lantern Parade. The parade is a cultural highlight of Northern NSW and the foundation is working with LightnUp to help showcase some of the amazing indigenous talent Australia has to offer.

2007 is the first year of the collaboration and we are starting by bringing the world renowned White Cockatoo Performing Group from Western Arnhem Land to Lismore for a concert the week before the Parade, In future years we hope to expand this concept.

Wood Carving Group for Indigenous Youth (Ongoing)

The Foundation has recently purchased sets of woodcarving chisels and in the coming months will start a wood carving group for local indigenous youth in Lismore, with a focus on the revival of traditional carving styles in a contemporary context.

Intercultural Gathering (Ongoing)

The Foundation is in the process of seeking funding for a large intercultural gathering that will allow Indigenous people from different parts of Australia and non indigenous people to meet together and share ceremony in a multi day  residential camp situation.