PROJECT BACKGROUND:
The early 1900s saw an ambitious attempt to drive cattle from the stations of the Kimberley, through the Western Desert Region, to markets in the south of Western Australia. This led to the engagement of Alfred Canning, who surveyed the region for water in 1906. The route, which follows the course of 52 wells sunk by Canning and his team, intersects the countries of nine Aboriginal language groups and as a result has had a dramatic impact on people’s lives.
Prompted by the desire to explore the history of the Canning Stock Route through the prism of contemporary Aboriginal art and deliver a range of professional development workshops for artists, the CSR Project team embarked on a monumental return-to-country trip in mid 2007. They travelled over 1800 kms of the CSR, through the lands of Martu, Kukatja, Manyjilyjarra, Wangkajunga, Walmajarri and Yulparija peoples.
As with subsequent trips over the past two years, this initial journey was facilitated by Aboriginal cultural advisors, and documented by Aboriginal multimedia trainees in collaboration with a professional film crew. At designated camps along the way, 60 of Western Australia’s finest Aboriginal artists and emerging talents participated in artistic workshops on country. Project team members recorded oral histories and made short films along the length of the CSR, building up a rich chorus of the many voices missing from Australia’s history books.
The oral history material generated within the course of this project, speaks of a resilient and dynamic culture, enhancing the opportunity for increasing understanding both within Aboriginal communities, and between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities. The CSR Project’s commitment to cultural heritage preservation will ensure this body of information is repatriated to the nine community enterprises, as an archive and resource, post the exhibition launch.
Visionary Partnerships
This project could not be possible without the generous contribution by established and emerging artists from the nine partnering arts and cultural enterprises, by the participation of senior elders, countrymen and women and the multiple Aboriginal owned and governed community organisations across the Western Desert region. We deeply appreciate your important contribution.
FORM in association with the nine arts and cultural enterprises wishes to thank the following:
SPONSORS
Ngurra Kuju Walyja - The Canning Stock Route Project
Founding Partner
BHP Billiton Iron Ore
Major Partner
Department of Culture and the Arts, Western Australia Government
Principal Partners
National Museum of Australia
Indigenous Land Corporation
Supporting Partners
Freehills
BHP Billiton Nickel West
Western Australian Government
Department of Local and Regional Government
Lotterywest
Landgate
Department of Commerce
Department of Water
West Australian Museum
Australian Government
Visions of Australia
Department of Water, Environment, Heritage and the Arts
EXHIBITION SPONSORS
Yiwarra Kuju – The Canning Stock Route
Founding Partner
BHP Billiton Iron Ore
Major Partner
Department of Culture and the Arts, Western Australian Government
SUPPORTING SPONSORS
Freehills
BHP Billiton Nickel West
Landgate
Department of Water, Environment, Heritage and the Arts
Visions of Australia
Australia Council for the Arts