Vis a Vis: Techno Tribal

ISSUE 36 ISSUE AUSTRALIAN SCREEN EDUCATION SCREEN AUSTRALIAN PATRICIA KELLY / MAUREEN AH SAM 1 STUDYGUIDE Vis a Vis: Techno Tribal

Synopsis connections reveal rich comic talent, What an interesting video to say the self-doubt, and great differences in least. Vis a Vis: Techno Tribal, features is a Vis: Techno Tribal witnesses their approaches to life and work. two Indigenous performing artists. two powerful and articulate The use of satellite video link brings Vperformance artists confront- The fi nancing and set-up us into the twenty-fi rst century ing the stereotypes and prejudices was by white fi lmmak- and what a great way for about Indigenous people in Australia ers aware that the new Ningali and James to share and the USA. In Australia the experi- technologies, though their cultural experiences, ence of Indigenous marginalization increasingly-common- challenge stereotypes, by the colonizing culture is 300 years place, are rarely in the racism and bring ‘Indige- younger than in America. Have these hands of marginalized or nous/Black history’ into the 300 years made signifi cant differences Indigenous communities. education arena, the wider to the uneasy co-existence of these community and even into the cultures? James: We’re taking advantage homes of non-Indigenous people. of this media because for so long, Ningali and James have similar experi- Actor-writer and comedienne Nin- we’ve been spoken about, spoken for, ences yet they are 10,000 kilometres gali Lawford from the Kimberley in photographed, videotaped … but you apart and hail from very different and Western Australia, and James Luna, know we aren’t the people who are in unique Indigenous Nations. a conceptual performance artist from control … the Luiseno La Jolla reservation in Maureen Ah Sam California, meet through a satellite Ningali: You should see my place. video link and embark on a journey of I’ve never had reality TV in my house Warning dialogue, demonstration and dis- before! ISSUE 36 covery. Using both performance and • Aboriginals and Torres Strait historical illustration, they canvass the A fi lm which features two perform- Islanders are warned that the fi lm AUSTRALIAN SCREEN EDUCATION contemporary Indigenous landscape, ance artists was always going to be may contain images and sounds the constant choices facing them a hybrid of documentary and drama, of deceased persons. over representation and responsibil- and Vis a Vis: Techno Tribal can • Any topics relating to racism ity, and the effects on their lives of the perhaps best be seen as an observa- can raise painful and challeng- mainstream white society in which tion in four acts. The agenda for what ing issues for some students. It is they work. Their candid and emotional would happen was entirely unknown. important to create a safe learning

Vis a Vis: Techno Tribal 52 minutes, 2003 Film Finance Corporation Australia Ltd and Nick Torrens Film Productions 2 Director: Nick Torrens, Steven Lawrence, Phil Lucas Producer: Nick Torrens, Steven Lawrence Vis a Vis: Techno Tribal ISSUE 36 AUSTRALIAN SCREEN EDUCATION

3 environment by agreeing on ap- Indigenous, racism, ethnicity, stere- propriate and inappropriate words otypes, institutionalized racism, Curriculum links and terms and how to speak and diabetes, mainstream, marginalization, listen respectfully. identity, kin, totem, overseer, stolen Suitable for general community use • There is occasional swearing in generations, reservation, Language, and for students from senior second- this video, occurring in the context Kreol. ary upwards, particularly in SOSE, of performance. Always preview to English, Australian History, Perform- see if a video is suitable for your Why are key words important? ing Arts, Legal Studies and Media students. Studies. Understanding key terms is the basis Before watching the video for understanding and helps students At Tertiary level, the video is relevant to expand vocabulary in context. to Built Environment, Engineering, 1. Introduce Key Words Creative Industries (Music, Performing 2. Find out what students Arts, Media), Health, Politics, Justice already know Studies, Law and Religious Studies ISSUE 36 and Peace Studies. Students may know a lot, a little, or AUSTRALIAN SCREEN EDUCATION have a lot of misinformation about The artists: Ningali Lawford Indigenous people and issues. It is and James Luna helpful to begin by brainstorming what they already know. Revisit their com- Ningali Josie Lawford was born in ments after watching the video and 1967 at Wangkatjungka, near Fitzroy doing work on the issues. Ask what Crossing in the Kimberley Region of information was accurate? What was WA. She grew up on a cattle station inaccurate? What will they do with the where her father was an overseer. new information? She attended high school in Perth 4 and then spent a year in Alaska as the recipient of an American Field lives, or someone they would like Scholarship. On her return she joined to have as a role model. Ask them The Aboriginal Islander Dance Theatre to prepare an interesting graphic in Sydney.1 She tells stories in three or written way of listing the quali- languages, Walmatjarri and Wang- ties they most admire in this per- katjungka (her traditional language), son and why they are important at English, which she learned when she this point in their lives. was thirteen, and Kreol, the synthesis • Ask them to fi nd a song or a of the two. She does a solo show poem, a picture or a story that called Ningali, in which she sings, illustrates one of these qualities dances and does stand-up comedy. and present it to the group.

Discussion James Luna was born in California and identifi es with his mother’s Na- He prefers to work as a solo artist. The video begins with a written and tive American/First Nation Luiseno spoken dedication from Ningali: culture. His father was Mexican, but Here are some themes to explore ISSUE 36 James does not speak Spanish or his through the video. AUSTRALIAN SCREEN EDUCATION Dedicated to the memory of my two ancestral language. He grew up in Los grandmothers Jinny James and Emily Angeles but has moved to the La Jolla THEME 1: CREATIVITY Forrest, the two strongest women I reservation in Southern California. ever knew. I will always carry every- The community of six hundred people James and Ningali are both Indig- thing you both taught me. lives on 8000 acres. He really got in enous and artists, sharing their art touch with his Native American culture and attitudes with an international Activity when he was studying at the Univer- audience. sity of California in the late 1960s. He • Ask students to identify a role now works as a counsellor at a col- model who is signifi cant in their lege in order to fund his artistic work. 5 Nick Torrens, Director Incorporating snippets from James Rico. No I don’t speak Spanish …’ and Ningali’s performances was a How does this scene illustrate her ‘Over the course of the dialogues their great way to show off their talents that comment, ‘We’re still outsiders in artistic imperatives become clear— either made me laugh or have tears our own country?’ showing and discussing their work in my eyes. Their use of humour on • What makes this scene funny even and their reasons for doing it—in the issues such as the disposition of land, though the topic is serious? ways they have chosen.’ the notion of Terra Nullius or health issues (diabetes) make the audience Activities Ningali: I’m an actor, then Indigenous. aware that these things did happen or are happening within our respec- Compare this scene with James’ James: I’m a solo artist and I’m used tive communities. Their performances show in which he is on display as a to doing things the way I do ‘em. challenge the audience to unpack contemporary artefact. He said: ‘I their own prejudices or their own wanted to make this loud statement Some important aspects of their crea- cultural baggage. about us as living people not some- ISSUE 36 tivity include the following: thing from the past.’ Maureen Ah Sam AUSTRALIAN SCREEN EDUCATION Humour • Pause the video at the point where Discussion James is lying on the table with Both these artists are very funny, us- people observing him. Put yourself ing humour to point out inconsisten- • What does Maureen Ah Sam mean in his place or that of one of the cies in once uncontested concepts. by ‘cultural baggage’? audience. Write a short (half page) • Watch the scene from Black and script describing your thoughts. Ningali: Terra Nullius means no one Tran, Ningali’s show with the • Show this scene again and then here. If that’s the case, where the f--- Vietnamese-Australian comedian act some of the scripts. Do you have we come from? Hung Le. This begins with her think James has achieved his aim 6 saying, ‘No, I’m not from Puerto that ‘if a person comes, when they leave they will never look at Native 'Shaman' will help students to American stuff in the same way understand this piece at deeper again’? levels. • What are positive and negative Anger ways of dealing with anger in our daily lives? Consider problems Here are some comments about how such as road rage or sporting James and Ningali deal with anger brawls. How do these arise and and use it in their artistic lives. what effects do they have on those watching? How does hu- James: Sometimes I am critical of our mour help defuse anger? people but dammit, if I can’t do that, who can? THEME 2: CULTURE their traditional knowledge of spirits, James: I needed to hook them in and Culture is a huge theme. The following places, land uses, and ecology.2 then I could bite them. aspects are just a few of many: The second is a personal response to Ningali: I want them to be in pain but Connection to country the video. ISSUE 36 have a totally different perspective. AUSTRALIAN SCREEN EDUCATION Here are some explanations about Ningali was raised in a community en- Discussion connection to country. The fi rst is an vironment and now lives in Melbourne academic explanation. to pursue her career, but she often • Find some examples from the returns home to be with members of video to illustrate how Ningali and An Aboriginal cultural landscape is a her family. James on the other hand James create these effects. For place valued by an Aboriginal group was raised in the city and moved back example, why did James create (or groups) because of their long and to his ancestral land. This aspect of the 'Shame-man' role as part of a complex relationship with that land. It returning to our ancestral land clearly performance piece about ethnic- expresses their unity with the natural demonstrates how we have main- ity? Researching the role of a and spiritual environment. It embodies tained our connection with country, 7 kin and culture. • How do other Indigenous Aus- • Identify some scenes in the video tralians explain ‘connection to that illustrate the director’s claim Maureen Ah Sam country’? Read some poems by that 'Ningali is a great cultural me- the Aboriginal poet, Oodgeroo diator’. What price do these artists Compare these quotes with Ningali’s Noonuccal or listen to some of the pay for this role? poem about how she feels about her songs of the group ‘Yothu Yindi’. country. She dedicates this to the • Visit the web site about the Language audience. Native Americans of California http://www.ci.escondido.ca.us/li- Ningali’s grandfather said: For My First-born brary/pioneer/LessonTwo.pdf. This To you my fellow Australians, I give includes an introduction to the Never ever lose your language, be- you my mother’s land language, history and customs of cause if you do that you will lose your To you my fellow Australians, I give the Luiseno people.3 stories, your songs and your culture ISSUE 36 you my father’s pride • What does connection to country and if you do that, you will just be To you my fellow Australians, I give mean to you now? another face in the crowd. AUSTRALIAN SCREEN EDUCATION you my grandmother’s wisdom To you my fellow Australians, I give Activity Maureen comments: you my father’s love, for these are the things most precious to me. • Write a similar dedication in which While Ningali discusses her view on So keep them close to your heart. you offer to share some of the language maintenance I felt a twinge things most precious to you (that of jealousy as she has had the op- Discussion you are willing to share). portunity to be raised within her clan • Prepare a collage of pictures, group and use the language of her • Which of these explanations is songs or poems to illustrate Nin- people. Many Indigenous Australians 8 most effective for you? Why? gali’s dedication. have not had that experience due to the policies and subsequent practices the rate of non-Indigenous people. au/index1.html Information is also that impacted on many Aboriginal This group suffers much higher rates available in community languages. families. We were not allowed to use of renal disease, diabetes, injury and • Access an Aboriginal health site our language, songs, dance or prac- poisoning than the rest of the Austral- such as http://www.bega.org.au/ tise our customs as it was a means ian community.6 welcome.htm the site of the Kal- to ‘Christianise, civilise and control’ goorlie Bega Garnbirringu Health Aboriginal people. I have witnessed a Discussion Service. Note some positive or sea change over the past thirty years interesting cultural information to with the movement back to country • Investigate one of the issues as- share with others. Compare this and the revitalization of language sociated with the poor health of site with a Native American Wom- maintenance and cultural identity. Indigenous people in Australia and en’s Resource Centre site http:// the USA or any other country. www.nativeshop.org/nawherc.html Discussion • Both Ningali and James smoke. • Ask students undertaking studies Smoking is a general health issue in Health to read and critique a • How might hearing Ningali speak but the statistics reveal it as a strategic plan to tackle one health so confi dently in ‘Language’ greater problem for Indigenous issue that affects Indigenous encourage others to maintain or people in Australia. people today. What would they do learn another language? differently? • Discuss the benefi ts of speaking Tobacco is long overdue for a good another language or languages. hard look because it’s a major cause THEME 4: Politics and • What has James lost in not speak- of illness and premature death among Policies ing either his mother’s language or Indigenous people … his father’s? Both James and Ningali discuss the It’s the forgotten killer; it causes more impact of legislation and policies that Activity deaths among Indigenous people than have affected their people. any other drug, including alcohol and • Set up a language exchange. petrol sniffi ng. 7 Christianity, assimilation, institutional Ask students to identify and write education, employment or acting down greetings and/or common Indigenous persons aged 18 years out scenes on the forced removal of proverbs in as many languages and over were twice as likely as non- children only highlight the attitudes of as they can fi nd over two days. Indigenous persons to be current those who held the power to deter- Feature these on a wall and leave smokers (51% compared with 24%) mine how, when, and where Indig- up until everyone knows them. with higher proportions applying to enous people lived within broader both sexes and across all age groups.8 society. Often these policies/legisla- THEME 3: HEALTH tion were built on the notion of ‘social Activities Darwinism’, saying to the broader There are major health issues that community that Indigenous people affect Indigenous people particu- • What are some of the current are not worth the time or effort to larly.4 Many of the health problems messages about smoking a) from educate. are linked, for example obesity and cigarette companies and b) from diabetes.5 the anti-smoking lobby? Where Maureen Ah Sam do they appear and who is their There is a small segment in the video target audience? For information Ningali: They brought the Bible with that touches on the health of both about the effects of smoking on them and told us to close our eyes Indigenous nations. I did not fi nd this the Indigenous population see this and pray and when we opened them, surprising. The fact that diabetes is Frequently Asked Questions web they had the f-----g land. rampant within our collective com- site. 9 munities is just one example of the • Survey your class or another James: It is popular to be ethnic. They ISSUE 36 state of health of Indigenous people group about smoking. How many don’t stop to think about all the pain AUSTRALIAN SCREEN EDUCATION in Australia and the USA. History has smoke? What were their reasons and misery … What does it mean led us to believe that Government for taking it up? to be an Indigenous person in our created legislation and policies in our • Identify the kinds of support avail- culture? best interest. But the statistics tell us able for those who wish to give up differently. smoking or resist the peer pres- Education sure to begin. Maureen Ah Sam • Ask students to evaluate the QUIT Institutional racism denotes govern- site and the ‘Will Power’ character mental and organizational policies that Recent data confi rm Indigenous peo- on http://www.quit.org.au/index2. restrict minority groups or demean ple are admitted to hospital at twice html or http://www.quitnow.info. them by the application of stere- 9 AIM COMMENT

To use satellite television to connect two highly commit- ted artists from different parts of the world.

To present a coherent narrative based on emotional con- nection with the two artists.

To offer a broad international audience a window into the world of artistic and Indigenous experience, as the artists explore the differences and similarities between their societies, their objectives and themselves.

To offer Indigenous audiences a personal perspective on parallel universes.

CHART 01

otypes.’ 10 How true of the education • What evidence is available in this vide examples of what this means system that both Ningali and James video on the effect of various to James and Ningali? experienced. This form of institu- government policies on Ningali’s • What does it mean to ‘speak tional education was designed with family and on James’ life? about’ someone and to ‘speak for’ Indigenous people in mind. It was a • Watch the fi lm Rabbit-Proof Fence someone? means for the Government to cre- (Phillip Noyce, 2002) for a power- • In James’ comment above, who ate a pool of workers that undertook ful, dramatized account based on are ‘we’ and who are 'the people’ the menial labour that others did not a true story by Doris Pilkington, in control? want to do. It has always made me Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence. • Does this kind of face-to-face feel, as an Indigenous Australian, as a The fi lm One Night the Moon video interaction change the ‘second class’ citizen, even in 2003. (Rachel Perkins, 2001) offers audience’s role? The director says James Luna discusses his educational insights into the tragic effects of a that if we are part of the dominant background. He regards himself as white man’s prejudice. culture, then ‘we learn the par- one of a few who have qualifi cations ticipants’ attitudes to us.’ Do you or perhaps one of the ‘elite’ within his Film Issues agree? people. Indigenous students access- Marginalization and the media ing tertiary institutions in Australia Activities represent 1.52% nationally, which is Here are two comments: well below the national fi gure of 2.6% • Following the discussion, ask of the Indigenous population. I fi nd The Director: As mainstream television students to summarize Ningali and this criminal. is largely programmed for fi rst world James’ attitudes to the dominant consumer and corporate needs, it cultures in their countries. You Maureen Ah Sam is held responsible for much nega- could do this under the headings tive impact on Indigenous peoples of Positive, Negative and Inter- Discussion everywhere. esting. What did they learn that ISSUE 36 surprised or challenged them? • Watch the scene in which James James: We’re taking advantage of What will they do with this infor- AUSTRALIAN SCREEN EDUCATION features photographs of Native this media because for so long, we’ve mation? American children before and been spoken about, spoken for, • Ask students to monitor their me- after being taken away from their photographed, videotaped … but you dia for a set period of time to see families to attend school. He then know we aren’t the people who are in how Indigenous people or cultures compares these with his own control … are portrayed, if at all. They could before and after college photo- choose television, movies, radio, graphs. What point is he making Discussion newspapers or magazines or the here about education? Internet. • What does marginalization mean? • Watch an episode of Message 10 Activities How does this video help to pro- Stick TV or listen to ten minutes of the Indigenous radio program Media Protocol, Research Protocols news/200305/s863406.htm Awaye or Speaking Out. See and WWW Resources: http://abc.net. 6 http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/ http://www.abc.net.au/message/ au/message/proper/culture.htm abs%40.nsf/462a212839e1e to connect with a variety of pro- 5ca256820000fe0de/3 grams. Try some of their recipes. The From Sand to Celluloid collection 919938725ca0e1fca256d90001ca ‘Emu Pie with pepper berry sauce’ of videos made by Indigenous fi lm- 9b8!OpenDocument or ‘Lemon Myrtle’. makers is available from http://www. 7 Dr Ivers, Menzies School of • Watch the video Babakiueria, afi .org.au/ Health Research, Darwin, NT. available from most state fi lm and http://192.94.208.240/Crc/Gener- video centres, for a satirical and The Rewind series has over twenty, al/CRCPubs/newsletter/Issue6/to- thought-provoking twist on Aus- fi ve-minute episodes on most impor- bacco.htm ‘Indigenous Australians tralian history, in which the roles tant aspects of Australian history and & Tobacco—Some Good News of the dominant and Indigenous culture, using archival and current After All’. people are reversed.11 resources. See www.fi lmaust.com.au 8 From Australian Bureau of Statis- tics web site above. For statistics The Format A short interview with Australian of the on Native Americans see http:// Year 2003, Dr Fiona Stanley, offers a health.nih.gov/result.asp?disease_ This vis a vis format began in 1992, brief introduction to issues of Indig- id=458 but its strength lies in ‘the potential enous Health. http://www.abc.net. 9 Australian Indigenous Health for the fi lm’s subjects to create and au/pm/content/2003/s935242.htm InfoNet (2003). Frequently asked manage their own agendas’. Here is questions: what do we know a summary of the director’s aims. See The Australian Indigenous Health Bul- about smoking among Indigenous Chart 01. letin is a good starting point for health people? Retrieved January 4, information on a wide range of issues. 2004. http://www.healthinfonet. Activity http://www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/ ecu.edu.au/html/html_keyfacts/ html/html_bulletin/bulletin_home.htm faq/faq_health_behaviours/smok- • Ask students to use the second ing.htm column to make their own com- This study guide was written by Patricia 10 Gale Encyclopedia of Psychology, ments about if or how well they Kelly, a Brisbane-based writer and aca- 2nd Ed 2001. think the director has succeeded demic, in collaboration with Maureen 11 Babakiueria is available from www. in any particular aim. Ah Sam, a lecturer in the Oodgeroo abc.net.au/programsales/cata- Unit at the Queensland University of logue/aborig.htm Other Web sites and Technology. Maureen has many years For more detailed classroom resources experience at all levels of education and work see http://www.curriculum. in working with Indigenous communi- edu.au/democracy/case_studies/ For comprehensive links to web sites ties. Her invaluable perspective has narara/protest.htm the Curriculum relating to the history and cultures of been incorporated into and highlighted Corporation’sv detailed case study Indigenous peoples in the USA and in this guide. on Aboriginal Protest Movements, Canada see http://www.bloorstreet. 1940-1972. com/300block/aborcan.htm#2 ENDNOTES 1 For a detailed and personalized This study guide was produced by The National Archives of Australia has look at the triumphs and troubles ATOM. For more information about a very useful web site: http://www. of this company see the video ATOM study guides, The Speakers’ naa.gov.au/the_collection/indigenous_ series, Dreamtime to Dance: www. Bureau or ScreenHub (the daily online records.html#bth fi relight.com.au/dream.html fi lm and television newsletter) visit our 2 Susan Buggey, http://www.mveirb. web site: www.metromagazine.com.au The National Archives of Australia’s nt.ca/Registry/EACumulative/ or email: [email protected] web site: http://www.naa.gov.au/ Susan%20Buggey%20paper.pdf ISSUE 36 education/education.html Exploring 3 http://www.sandiego.edu/nativea- AUSTRALIAN SCREEN EDUCATION Citizenship kit merican/ This is a university site offering a chronology of Native For one review of the fi lm One Night American settlement in California the Moon see: http://members.oze- and links to over 300 other sites. mail.com.au/~qstage/onenight.html 4 See a short interview with head of the Australian Medical Associa- There is a guide to ‘Respecting tion, Dr Kerryn Phelps http://www. Indigenous Cultures’. Some general abc.net.au/pm/s153963.htm for an guidelines are outlined in more detail overview of the causes. under the headings: General Protocol, 5 htp://www.abc.net.au/nt/ 11