A new documentary follows the remarkable story of the Ewamian people, Aboriginal Traditional Owners in Northwest Queensland, as they reclaim their connection to Country after generations of displacement and return to create new opportunities for their people.
Filmed over four years, Our Journey: The Story of the Ewamian People at Talaroo came from a long-term collaboration between the Ewamian people, Griffith University, and Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO.
Through LiveLab, Griffith Film School’s student-based production house, a diverse team of emerging filmmakers working for and with Ewamian people and CSIRO, traced the Ewamian journey from colonial times; the pastoral era, gaining native title, coming back to country, establishing the Ewamian Rangers at Talaroo and then building the sustainable Talaroo Hot Springs tourism facility.
Essential additional support for the film project was provided by the North Queensland Land Council and the National Indigenous Australians Agency.
This place has a way of showing off. It shines for you.
Makes you want to know what’s around the corner and what’s over the hill.
Excerpt from Our Journey
Director, Griffith Film School alumna, Arun Ketsirat, said the film gave viewers a chance to meet fascinating characters and experience moments of Indigenous empowerment and reconciliation.
“This project taught us that documentary making is not only about capturing what happens in front of the camera, it is about relationships, trust and responsibility, especially when you are working with a community whose story carries deep cultural and historical meaning.”
Chairperson for Ewamian Limited during the project, Ken Georgetown, grew up in Brisbane, far from Ewamian Country, after his grandfather’s forcible displacement to the Palm Island Aboriginal Settlement.
Coming to Talaroo was a revelation.
“I came down here to Talaroo and I said ‘wow, look at this!” Mr Georgetown said.
“It was fantastic, it just blew me away and I felt emotional about what my grandfather was taken away from.”
Kristina Fisher, CSIRO Indigenous Research Projects Officer and senior Ewamian woman said CSIRO science had assisted her people to make better decisions on Country, focusing on what could work sustainably for them into the future.
“We want our grandkids and great grandkids to thrive on Country,” Ms Fisher said.
“Having CSIRO science to back up Ewamian environmental management and business development decisions is so important to us.”
Since it opened, Talaroo Hot Springs has welcomed thousands of visitors and continues to support Ewamian employment on Country.
Approximately 25 Griffith Film School students worked in integral roles throughout pre- and post-production as well as shooting at Talaroo.
“The project provided a rare opportunity for several film school students to travel on Country and learn from the Ewamian community as they helped capture their story,” LiveLab Creative Director Associate Professor Richard Fabb said.
Mr Georgetown said the film could reach potential visitors, supporters and investors.
“This film showcases our journey, our assets, and where we want to go in the future,” he said.
Our Journey: The Story of the Ewamian People at Talaroo is available to watch on SBS On Demand
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