This documentary recreates an indigenous canoe journey that hasn't been made for over 150 years. Follow the Bundjalung/ Yugambeh elders and youth as they build the canoes and paddle them 80km from Koombumerri country (the Gold Coast) to Minjerribah (Stradbroke Island).
The route of the journey is part of a songline that connects from Byron Bay up to Fraser Island, encompassing the Sand Islands, and known as the Sea Eagle songline.
Directed, Shot and Edited by Jeff Licence - Tigermonkey Productions
Produced by Ben Allmon
Background:
"A land bridge connected Minjerribah (Stradbroke Island) to Kombumerri country (Southport) and Goories also came in canoes to Minjerribah trading bunya for eugarie, amongst other things."
History Life and Times of Robert Anderson, Gheebelum, Ngugi, Mulgumpin
It was after reading this line 4 years ago that Gold Coast author Benjamin Allmon realised he knew nothing of the indigenous history of his home, the land of the Saltwater People, and felt a responsibility to his young son to learn it. So he embarked on a voyage of discovery that led him further than he ever expected, into a cultural story that is rarely offered to someone outside of the Bundjalung and Yugambeh people.
Together with Bundjalung canoemaker Kyle Slabb, veteran paddler Mark Matthews, and the local indigenous communities, they set out to make traditional canoes that they would then paddle from the heart of the Gold Coast to North Stradbroke Island, a voyage not made in this manner for over a 100 years. It's a journey that will result in a documentary, a fully illustrated book, and exhibition that will be launched at The Arts Centre Gold Coast on May18th, 2018.
pozible.com/project/the-saltwater-story-1
