project "Waka Ŋurrkanhayngu: Regenerating the Existence of Life": Co-creating the Repatriation Resilience Pathway Sub-Project

In this long-term initiative requested, co-led and co-designed by TOs, Clan Leaders of diverse Yolŋu clans, Indigenous and Western researchers are working together two-way to revive, restore and strengthen Yolŋu living according to their ancient Law to heal and reduce ‘natural’ and social disasters. This project emerged from and is building upon two projects this research team conducted with the very remote Indigenous community Galiwin’ku in response to the devastating impacts of category 4 cyclones Lam and Nathan in 2015. These phase 1 (2020-21) and 2 (2021-23) projects systematically revealed what weakens and strengthens Yolŋu (vulnerabilities, adaptive capacities, resilience), and eight resilience pathways for reviving and restoring living Yolŋu ROM. In the phase 3 project, we aim to co-design and co-implement eight intertwined resilience pathways that emerged from phase 2 as the key leavers for creating Indigenous resilience and adaptation in remote and very remote Indigenous communities. This particular sub-project of phase 3 focuses on co-designing and co-implementing repatriating sacred objects, sound and video recordings, stories, and photos that were taken from the 16 clans that live in Galiwin’ku.