To really get to know a person you need to walk a while with them...
Such is the foundation of Ken Duncan's Walk a While project, which has been running for more than six years now. Ken was inspired to begin this project after seeing the dire needs of some of Australia's remotest indigenous communities. As a landscape photographer, Ken has spent a great deal of time in these communities and developed many strong friendships. Ken asked some indigenous elders what they thought of photographers and film makers visiting the indigenous lands for their crafts - and the community response was that many people passed through, took what they needed and gave nothing back to community. Thus, the idea for the project was born.
Many Indigenous people are extremely isolated and lack the skills they need for self-sufficiency. The primary goal of Walk a While is to work with the children in these communities to encourage them in the creative arts, and equip them with the tools and skills to tell their stories into the future. Currently working closely with the community at Haasts Bluff, 250km from Alice Springs, Ken's vision is to create a framework which can eventually be rolled out across other communities.
"If we can help facilitate the kids in the arts then this is the most powerful way to help them be able to tell their stories, and be free from the whole welfare mentality that exists in a lot of these communities," Ken says.
"One thing I've realised with indigenous people is that a lot of people come out and want to do short-term projects in these communities - but you have to walk a while with them before you can really have meaningful relationships, because they won't open up to you until you've shown them you're willing to walk the distance and it's not just some casual thing."
A Christian initiative, Walk a While is founded on the strong belief that reconciliation is not just about government policy - it's about people walking together. That's when true reconciliation will occur.
A number of exciting projects are in the pipeline. Sometime in 2011, we hope to run a reconciliation and arts concert in Central Australia, where artists from different cultures can meet and build relationships. Ultimately, we plan to start an Arts Centre at Haasts Bluff, which will be manned by a married couple and will become a creative hub for learning. The centre will provide ongoing support and encouragement for the community's youth, a facility for continuing visits by other artists, a gallery and small theatre to showcase and sell artists' work and the coordination of travelling national and international exhibitions of artists' work.
Walk a While requires ongoing public support for it to be a success. To make a donation via PayPal click the donation button below.
This is a non-profit organisation and donations are not tax deductible. Your generous donation will go directly to the indigenous community, which will return your support tenfold.
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