From 4 to 22 September 2023, a Kuku Yalanji choreographer Henrietta Baird will be in the Drill Hall to continue her Truth Telling residency and the development of Plant a Promise project which centres around land management and climate change from both scientific studies and First Nation’s cultural perspectives.
Alongside her art, Baird studies a Certificate III in Land Management and conducts tours and holiday programs involving native Flora and Fauna and the history of the Sydney people. Plant a Promise is a choreographic work that continues her research of native bush plants from her Country, exploring movement based on the methods and processes of collecting, preparing and applying traditional plants to make medicine, telling stories and preserving cultural knowledge through dance.
“My work is about the responsibility of Caring for Country, and it stems from my Elders teaching me about the importance of cultural protocols. Through stories, movement, and practices on Country we can learn about land management, back burning, the importance of ceremonies, listening to First Nations Elders and leaders. First Nations people have been silenced in the past and only seem to matter for other people’s gain. How can we lead so everyone learns to be caretakers? Weaving different elements together Plant a Promise is inviting you to Care for Country.”
COMMUNITY WEAVING SESSIONS:
As part of her time in the Drill Hall, Henrietta will open doors for community weaving sessions where participants will be guided by weavers from Far North Queensland, Florence and Adeline Williams. You are welcome to drop in for one or multiple session, and stay for as long or as short as fits your schedule. No previous weaving experience required. Open-to-all weaving session will take place in the Drill Hall (Critical Path) on:
Thu 7 Sep, 2pm-4pm
Mon 11 Sep, 2pm-4pm
Tue 12 Sep, 2pm-4pm
Wed 13 Sep, 2pm-4pm
Thu 14 Sep, 2pm-4pm
IN-DEVELOPMENT SHARING:
On Thursday 21 September between 3pm and 4pm, Henrietta will hold a sharing session in the Drill Hall. She will be sharing the recent progress of her work ‘Plant a Promise’, a multi-faceted work involving dance, community planting, weaving and environmental research. Additionally, Henrietta will be reflecting on her experience as the inaugural recipient of Critical Path’s First Nations Truth Telling residency, where she has researched Kuku Yalanji language and the history of its preservation.
Thursday 21 Sep, 3-4pm, Drill Hall (Critical Path) – please REGISTER your attendance
Image credit: Plant a Promise, Carriageworks fellowship auspice by Critical Path. Artist: Henrietta Baird. Photo: Sierra Malevich
Plant a Promise is created with the generous support of Critical Path, Carriageworks, Create NSW, and Creative Australia