Indigenous Australian Learning Experience, Dyirbal People, Tropical North Queensland, Australia

THE DYIRBAL PEOPLE OF THE NORTH QUEENSLAND RAINFOREST: AN ABORIGINAL AUSTRALIAN LEARNING EXPERIENCE

• Gain a unique insight into the world's oldest civilisation, Aboriginal Australia.
• Led by John Scott, Deputy Head, School of Indigenous Australian Studies, James Cook University of North Queensland.

Learning experiences offered by Ernie Grant and the Dyirbal people who have inhabited the rainforest country near Tully, 150 kilometres south of Cairns in Australia's Tropical North Queensland, since time immemorial. Spend four days exploring the area and learning the ancient wisdoms of one of Australia's indigenous peoples, living on the edge of a tropical rainforest - environmental, spiritual and cultural wisdoms. Learn some of the mysteries of the rainforest, and learn about knowledge and learning in another culture..

Ernie and his people will take you on a fascinating journey into their culture within pre-contact, contact post-contact contexts. This trip will provide a rare opportunity for those interested in knowing more about the history and cultures of Australian Aboriginal peoples and in exploring their contemporary relationships with non-Indigenous society.

The learning focus of the field trip will be determined by the Indigenous Australians providing the teaching activities. This will not only reflect the diversity of the Indigenous Australian experience but will also enable participants to gain valuable insights into the dynamic nature of Australian Aboriginal cultures.

WHEN: Pick-up at 9am, Wednesday, 12 July in Cairns, far north Queensland and return to Cairns, by Noon, Sunday, 16 July, 2000

This trip is planned to provide a 4 day/4 night odyssey following the Learning Conference in Melbourne.

REGISTRATION FOR THIS LEARNING EXPERIENCE INCLUDES:

* Bunkhouse accommodation at El Rancho del Rey (previously a cattle station) located in magnificent countryside near the Davidson River

* All food (including lunch by the beach at Wongaling Beach near (Mission Beach) - come prepared to take a swim in the sea!

* All learning experiences (including visit to Crocodile Farm and the Dyirbal people.)

* All transfers to and from Cairns

Minimum twenty participants, maximum thirty. Closing date for Applications: 1 May 2000.

There will also be an opportunity to visit the Great Barrier reef during your time in Cairns before or after the Indigenous Learning Experience (to be arranged through the Cairns hotel, and at your own expense).

Register on the main conference registration form.

Tully campsite