Nguiu, Tiwi Islands

1998

This project was developed with the Nguiu community, with Tracks Directors invited to devise and direct the performance aspects. There were also music, video and television components. The performance dealt with the issues identified by the Nguiu community that caused the high youth suicide rate in their community. Tracks directed this movement and visual performance, working closely with the community and through the Xavier Catholic Education Centre, Nguiu Community. Bill Davis produced a half-hour television show that was presented on the BRACKS community TV system.

The KUKANARRI SHOW (a traditional word that describes celebrations when the whole community comes together) featured many stories from the community, including its key dreamings and creation stories, its history since colonisation and its current joys. Tracks worked with the children in the local schools and other community groups. The performance took place in an area that was both undercover and outdoors and incorporated large puppets, images and short dances.

The key dreaming story we researched was Muturnkal. Murtangkala is tthe main figure in the Tiwi creation story. She existed in a dark time before anything existed. SHe was an old blind womanwho came out of the ground carrying her three children on her back. As she traveled North she made landforms and waterways and created the strait of water that separates Melville and Bathurst Islands. She finally made animals and plants for her children. Due to her prime importance, the giant Muturnkala Puppet starts and finishes the show

Project Stages:

• Research difficulties and health problems occurring in Nguiu
• Recruit directors, musical, dance and design personnel
• Create the show with the community, guided by key elders, and rehearse. 
• Write and rehearse the anthem with the women. 
• Create daily Television shows.
• Perform the Kukanarri Show
• Survey the audience and senior students for reactions
• Cut 20 hours of video (daily television shows) into a 1-hour documentary. Create a video of the performance

Scenario

OLD TIMES
Family Groups
Old people teaching the young around Murturnkala Sculpture. Culture is being kept alive.
Old woman crawling forwards with water/rope
VET Shadow Screen lowers
FS Shadows of Landscapes, use of made images
FS In front of screens as trees, (Backs to audience)
Year 7 Bird puppet dance, hand puppets to FS, flocking dance

CONTACT TIMES
FS & year  Trees chopped down, birds leave, 7’s to grandstand

MODERN TIMES
Year 8 Foot & Ball puppet into sports dance (7’s to cheer)
IE Signs and Sign dance
VET Hands come to life and grab IE’s
Screen rises

FUTURE TIMES
Year 6 Egg Lantern procession, place lanterns Downstage
Cheeky spirit dance
Everyone: Action dance around Murturnkala Sculpture, Anthem, Murturnkala Sculpture travels to Centre stage during this, Others to downstage with 6’s
Year 9 Fire torch procession/dance, end at Murturnkala
Light fire pictures

Creative Personnel

Director: Bill Davis, David McMicken and Tim Newth
Music and Video: Brian Wappett and Barry Ferrier
Key Elders: Simon Tipangwati, Clementine Paruntatameri

Performers

Students from Xavier Community Education Centre, Nguiu community members

Tracks Dance 1998

Co-Artistic Directors: Sarah Calver, David McMicken, Tim Newth
Administrator: Liann Stevenson, Joelene Paterson, Bong Ramillo

[under Ausdance NT]