Tiptoeing Tracker Tod

land

Day 9, Friday I like movies. See how I used the word “like” —not “love”, “adore” or “crazy about”.

I went to the cinema with Mum and Ned to see a Yamaji movie (of course, the giggling goats came too).

This movie was barndi—about our people.

It got me thinking about the “taken away” thing again.

The giggling goats and Mum cried.

Then Mum was smiling.

Think she loved the singing.

E L

P M

A S

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E L

P M

A S

When we got home I asked Dad about “taken away”.

“Can you please tell me what ‘taken away’ means?

I heard Mum saying that Robin’s nanna was taken away, and nobody will tell me what it means!”

I wanted to know because it sounds sad-bad-sad, and what if this happens to my family?

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land “Tod, many Aboriginal babies and kids were taken away by the government from their families, homes and culture.

The main reason was because the colour of their skin was lighter than other Aboriginal people’s.

The government said they could make these kids more like White people and be servants for them.

Many never went back to their families, ever.

They couldn’t find each other again.

Some stayed in the cities and never got the chance to walk on their land, go hunting or listen to culture stories.

It hurt everyone.

It still hurts today.

We’ll talk more another time if you like.

OK?” said Dad.

E L

P M

A S

I think I understand “taken away” a little bit better now. L

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Day 10, Saturday You’re not going to believe this.

Unc Bullfrog sent me a text.

(How did he get my number???)

E L

P M

TEXT FROM UNC: Tonight get your dad to show you the night sky.

The yellabiddy shape can be seen in the Milky Way. Remember it tells us when it’s warlu time—emu egg time.

We finding emu eggs now.

Tell Dad to bring you all across Sunday to go out.

TEXT FROM ME: Can you ring Dad please Unc. He will say yes to you.

A S

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Now I know Dad and Unc Bullfrog had it planned all along.

Unc came to the city last week to teach me how to find some yellabiddy eggs.

Unc taught me warlu time is important to everyone.

It doesn’t matter where we live: city, station, farm, town.

Yamajis love warlu time.

The best tracker finds the most.

I’m going to tiptoe, tippy-toe, like the yellabiddy.

E L

P M

A S

The Milky Way looked awesome tonight.

We had to drive a bit out of the city to see it properly—too many city lights.

Ruins everything in the sky.

But there it was: the Milky Way sign.

Two-way world words warlu = emu egg(s) warlu time = emu egg season

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Day 11, Sunday I AM the greatest little brown tracker in the city.

We just got home. I am so tired.

But GUESS WHAT!!!!!

Paris, Robin and Ned got lost in the bush.

The giggling goats tried to track an emu, but me and Unc Bullfrog had to track them.

We followed their footprints for a long way.

They mainly walked in circles.

They sat under trees.

They wrote “help” in the sand.

They drew arrows all over the place.

They even walked past emu tracks.

Unc Bullfrog and I found them sitting under a tree, tired and very upset.

E L

P M

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I did try my mobile to find them, but that was useless.

No directions or maps for that part of the bush.

Not so deadly or solid out there after all.

BUT, I did take wicked pics with the camera on it: emu tracks, emu nest, emu eggs, footprints.

I wanted to take one of the giggling goats crying, but that wouldn’t have been nice now, eh?!

E L

P M

A S

Unc Bullfrog and I showed them how to track an emu.

Ned was shouting, “Tippy-toe, tippy-toe, trying to trick us!”

The emu did everything Unc showed me: sideways, forwards, tippy-toe.

We found the nest and lots of warlu.

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