20 Museums Australia Magazine – Vol. 22(2) – Summer 2013 20
Melbourne Museum's Bunjilaka gallery re-opens
First Peoples exhibition, Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre at Melbourne Museum
Amanda Reynolds
W
ominjeka – standing proud on the wall as you enter. Wominjeka – welcoming you in the local Boonwurrung and Woi Wurrung languages. Wominjeka — reminding us that the Museum’s long and prestigious tradition of scientific and ethnographic inquiry is preceded by a much longer and equally prestigious tradition of Yulendj (Law and knowledge).[1] First Peoples is a major new exhibition hosted by the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre at Melbourne Museum and also the continuing of a long, long tradition of Koorie peoples gathering to renew connections, celebrate cultures and teach the next generation. A unique cultural space created by merging the best of contemporary museum practice with the richness of Koorie knowledge and storytelling traditions. We celebrated the opening on 7 September 2013 with ceremony, music, dance and festivities. What makes this exhibition unique? First Peoples has been developed under the guidance of the First Peoples Yulendj Group of Elders and community representatives[2] and through collaborations with the
custodians of histories and cultures from Victoria and extending out across Australia. During the past couple of years, the Yulendj Group met for a week-long workshop every couple of months – while the focus was on the curatorial collaboration, Yulendj members also worked with design, conservation, preparators and multimedia teams. Significant cultural practices were central to each workshop – smoking ceremonies, knowledge sessions, culturally-based meetings with Elders leading discussions. We recognise that there have been sterling projects in the museum industry over the years founded upon Indigenous cultural values and practices – Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand a great leader in the field. In developing First Peoples, we have learned from all those who came before us – in museum practice and in cultural practice – and we all (community and museum contributors) are proud to say we’ve created a very welcoming, culturally significant, landmark exhibition. The final product, the visitor experience, is a testament to committing to a collaborative-based model with Yulendj as a founding principle of methodology. As Bangarang Elder Uncle Sandy Atkinson says:
above: Jimbayer
Waa (Learning Waa/Crow), First Peoples, Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Melbourne Museum. Photo by John Broomfield.
opposite page: Generations,
First Peoples, Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Melbourne Museum. Photo by John Broomfield.