Seventeen Bogan Shire Aboriginal students recently celebrated completion of a nine-week course which was a first for the western area and a celebration of Aboriginal culture.

The Statement of Aboriginal Engagement and Employment skills course saw students learn how to create kangaroo skin heirlooms under the tutelage of Johanna Parker of Orange.

“The kangaroo skin marking class was held at Nyngan TAFE and is the first time we have run this course for the western area,” said Ms Johanna Parker.

“Each student was given a kangaroo skin of their choosing and then taught traditional aboriginal signs and symbols that they could apply to create their own story. Using a wooden burner like a pen, the students imprinted their designs into the skin.

“By supporting and guiding them, we put together their ideas that they wanted to share in their design, whether it was to do with family or personal totem, we worked together to bring their design to life.

“For nine-three-hour sessions in the evening, which gave people who worked the opportunity to take part, students came to TAFE at night and relaxed in the company of other aboriginal locals and got to know each other,” said Ms Parker.

Cynthia Poirier with her kangaroo hide made during the course. [IMAGE: Nyngan TAFE]

“This is a contemporary approach to marking, though the learning of Aboriginal signs and symbols is the traditional part, which the inclusion of kinship and totems that represent family and community.

“The students by learning this skill can then go on to produce and sell their own skins for employment or could pathway into the art cultural section or even some other courses encompassing cultural knowledge or Aboriginal language courses."

The aim of the course is to not only provide students with a new skill but to provide them with the confidence to create more artwork that they can sell according to Ms Parker.

“This was a pilot program so Cobar, Bourke, Brewarrina, Trangie, Warren and other towns in the west are waiting for TAFE to run this course, so hopefully that can happen.

“The students were aged from age 18 years to 80, and by turning up each week showed we had engaged them in a culturally safe and inclusive environment, which we are happy about."

Nyngan artist Deanna Bamford working on her creation. (IMAGE: Nyngan TAFE).

Nyngan artist Deanna Bamford took part in the course and said she really enjoyed the comradery and learning a new form of art.

“This was an amazing opportunity to learn burning as a form of art on kangaroo skin under the guidance of our teacher Jo Parker.

“To be able to tell our own individual stories through art and meaning while forming new connections and friendships was amazing and such a great course offered by our local TAFE,” she said.