Back in the late 1980s my Indigenous sisters and son, senior custodians in
Arnhem Land, began talking to other relatives about birdwatching tourism.
They had worked with me, liked my clients (mostly Americans), and thought it
a great way of keeping people on their country, of making a little money,
and of building bridges with balandas (white people).
It took twelve years for all the custodians to agree. Familiar with the
pitfalls of just working with men, I designed the program so that women and
families were very much involved. Knowing of me, communities the length of
the Top End asked to be included.
We started with a little funding from the NT Government and binoculars
donated by Birding Aussers.
Then the funding was dropped. Despite my 25 years as a guide/lecturer and
the elders' thousands of years of incremental knowledge, we were deemed
"unqualified" to train. And as I expected the new push for birdwatching
tourism in the Top End didn't include me.
However, my relatives have continued to approach me, and now we're thinking
of starting again. So if you're interested, hold onto your binoculars for a
little while. I'll be going to Arnhem Land in May or June.
Regards
Denise Lawungkurr Goodfellow
1/7 Songlark Street
BAKEWELL NT 0832
Ph. 61 08 89 328306
Birdwatching and Indigenous tourism consultant
> www.denisegoodfellow.com
http://web.mac.com/goodfellowdl
> http://www.earthfoot.org
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/baby-dreaming
http://www.ausbird.com
on 9/4/08 1:44 PM, Michelle Plant at wrote:
> Judith et al...
>
> I sent a direct message to Greg, noting that I know of a fellow working on a
> program to encourage young birders in Australia. I will send him an email and
> see if we cannot get something happening.
>
> Surely there might be a group servicing discount and maybe an organisation
> that would help co-ordinate and fund this exciting venture!
>
> Michelle
> ==============================www.birding-aus.org
> birding-aus.blogspot.com
>
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