River Healing Ceremony

Over a historical, spiritual and hugeley positive 10 days, 2 EWB members, Kat Healey and Sophie Perisce, travelled with Cheryl Buchanan, Kargun Fogarty, Suze Fogarty and some of the children from their partner community - Kooma Nation - down the Murray Darling river system.

Posted by Lizzy Skinner to Kooma Traditional Owners Association partnership Team, 19th April 2010, 3:43pm

Dancers from three Aboriginal nations performed Corroborrees along the river on sunset for 8 nights. It rained softly after each performance, a sign the Aboriginal groups said was the spirits blessing the activities.

Each performance bought local townspeople to come and be inspired, and the lights in the kids and elders eyes while they watched the dancing was just magical. This was the first of what is to be an annual event. One that is sure to grow in size each year. There have already been promises of extra dance groups representing each of the towns the ceremony travels through.

This River healing ceremony not only helps the river system - it also helps to revive and keep culture strong. For thousands and thousands of years, the river nations travelled up and down the Murray-Darling river system, sharing these dances and songs with each other. This year's trip marked the historical revival of this tradition. The return of the river people to be caretakers of this vital water system. '

For an overview narrated by one of the elders and leaders - Uncle Moogie, click on the following link http://www.theage.com.au/multimedia/national/river-country-spirit-ceremony/20100409-ryhr.html

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