The Land Owns Us

Global Oneness Project

26 Feb 200906:14

Summary

TLDRThe speaker from Moody Jeweler shares a personal narrative of being part of 'The Stolen Generation,' highlighting the deep connection between Indigenous people and the land. They describe a way of life where the land nurtures all life, and the concept of land ownership is reversed, with the land owning the people. The speaker emphasizes the importance of community and unconditional love, known as 'gun Nene,' and the inclusiveness of all living things as family. This profound sense of oneness and belonging brings a sense of completeness and contentment that cannot be replaced.

Takeaways

🏡 The speaker was taken away from their home by the police during childhood, which is a reference to the Stolen Generations in Australia.
🌿 The concept of living 'on the land' is described as a natural way of life, where people are part of the environment rather than separate from it.
🔗 The idea of 'oneness' is central, connecting all living things and emphasizing the interdependence of life.
📚 The speaker was raised with teachings that emphasize the relationship between people and the land, and the importance of community.
🏞 The land is viewed as the owner of the people, rather than people owning the land, reflecting a deep respect and connection to the land.
👵 The concept of 'granny law' suggests a lineage of responsibility passed down through generations to care for the land and community.
💖 The term 'gun Nene' refers to community caring with unconditional love and responsibility for all aspects of life.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The feeling of family and belonging is extended to all living things, creating a sense of unity and non-loneliness.
🌳 The environment is described as being filled with family members, from the ground to the sky, including trees, clouds, birds, and animals.
🍲 The cycle of life is acknowledged, where animals can be a source of food and also become food themselves, part of a natural ecosystem.
🙏 The speaker expresses gratitude for their way of life, considering it a blessing and something they would not trade for anything else.

Q & A

What is the significance of the location where the narrator was taken by the police?
-The location is significant as it is near the home of the narrator's hand sisters and is associated with the historical event referred to as The Stolen Generation, where children were taken from their families.
What does the narrator mean by 'Bush living'?
-'Bush living' refers to the traditional way of life for the Aboriginal people, living in harmony with the land and its resources, without the concept of land ownership as understood in Western cultures.
How does the narrator describe the concept of land ownership in their culture?
-In the narrator's culture, land ownership is viewed differently; they believe that the land owns them, not the other way around. The land is seen as nurturing and providing for them, and they have a deep connection to it.
What is the term 'Gun Nene' and what does it represent in the narrator's culture?
-'Gun Nene' represents community caring in the narrator's culture. It is about caring for the land, one's family, and everything around them with unconditional love and responsibility.
How does the narrator explain the concept of 'oneness' in their culture?
-The concept of 'oneness' in the narrator's culture includes everything around them, recognizing a deep interconnectedness between all living things and the land. It is a belief in the completeness and unity of life.
What responsibility does the narrator feel towards the land and their community?
-The narrator feels a strong responsibility, as passed down by their ancestors, to care for the land and their community. This is referred to as 'Gun Nene' and involves caring for everything around them with love and responsibility.
How does the narrator describe the relationship between the people and the land in their culture?
-The narrator describes the relationship as one where the land is the provider and nurturer. People are taught from childhood to respect and care for the land, as it is the source of life and the foundation of their existence.
What does the narrator mean when they say 'the granny law'?
-The 'granny law' refers to the traditional teachings and responsibilities passed down from the narrator's ancestors, particularly the elders, which include the duty to care for the land and community.
How does the narrator view the experience of growing up with this understanding of the land and community?
-The narrator views it as a beautiful way of being, where they never felt lonely because everything around them was considered family. This understanding brings a sense of completeness and belonging.
What emotions or feelings does the narrator associate with their cultural beliefs and practices?
-The narrator associates feelings of completeness, unity, and a deep sense of belonging with their cultural beliefs and practices. They describe it as a beautiful feeling that they would not exchange for anything else.
How does the narrator's perspective on life and the environment differ from mainstream views?
-The narrator's perspective is rooted in a deep spiritual and emotional connection with the land and all living things, emphasizing a sense of oneness and responsibility that contrasts with mainstream views that may prioritize individualism and land ownership.

Outlines

00:00

🌿 Indigenous Connection to Land and Life

This paragraph discusses the deep-rooted connection of the speaker's indigenous culture with the land and all living beings. It reflects on the concept of 'The Stolen Generation,' where children were taken from their families by authorities, a practice that the speaker was personally affected by. The narrative emphasizes the natural way of life, where the land is not owned but is a part of the people, nurturing and sustaining them. The speaker explains the cultural belief that the land owns the people, and the importance of the land in their lives, as well as the teachings passed down through generations about the responsibility to care for the land, known as 'Gun Nene,' which is a form of unconditional community caring.

05:01

🐾 The Harmony of Life and the Environment

In this paragraph, the speaker continues to describe the harmonious relationship between humans, animals, and the environment in their culture. They express the beauty of this interconnected existence, where there is no exclusion but an inclusive sense of community. The speaker talks about the animals and reptiles that are part of their surroundings, which are both a source of food and a part of the family of life. The paragraph conveys a strong sense of belonging and contentment with the speaker's way of life, highlighting the completeness and beauty of their cultural identity and the profound feeling of not being alone because of the surrounding family of life forms.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Moody Jeweler

Moody Jeweler appears to be a location mentioned in the script, possibly a place of significance to the speaker. It's likely a community or a geographical area that holds historical and cultural importance, as it is described as being 'beside all around you know, the home of my hand sisters.' This suggests a close-knit community with shared history.

💡Stolen Generation

The term 'Stolen Generation' refers to the historical trauma experienced by Indigenous peoples in countries like Australia, where children were forcibly removed from their families by government agencies. In the script, it is mentioned as a past event that the speaker was taken into during their childhood, indicating a personal connection to this painful history.

💡Bush living

Bush living is a term that describes a way of life closely connected to the land and nature, often associated with Indigenous cultures. In the script, it is used to contrast the speaker's traditional upbringing with the imposed Western concepts of land ownership and lifestyle.

💡Land ownership

The concept of land ownership in the script is presented as a fundamental difference between Indigenous perspectives and Western concepts. For the speaker, the land is not something that can be owned but is a living entity that nurtures and sustains life. The phrase 'the land owns us' encapsulates this belief, emphasizing a reciprocal relationship with the land.

💡Oneness

Oneness in the script represents the interconnectedness of all living things, a core belief in many Indigenous cultures. It is the idea that all life is interlinked and that humans are part of a larger, holistic system. The speaker uses the term to describe their worldview, where everything from the land to the animals and people are considered family.

💡Ancestral teachings

Ancestral teachings refer to the wisdom and knowledge passed down through generations within a culture or community. In the script, the speaker mentions being raised with these teachings, which include a deep respect for the land and all living things, and the responsibility to care for them.

💡Responsibility

The concept of responsibility in the script is deeply intertwined with the speaker's cultural beliefs. It is not just a duty but a part of their identity and connection to the land and community. The term 'gun Nene' is used to describe this community caring, which involves unconditional love and a commitment to care for everything around them.

💡Cultural identity

Cultural identity is the sense of belonging and self-definition that comes from one's culture, traditions, and heritage. The speaker's narrative is rich with expressions of their cultural identity, from their connection to the land to their understanding of family and community.

💡Indigenous worldview

The Indigenous worldview mentioned in the script is a perspective that sees the world as an interconnected web of life, where humans are not superior but equal parts of nature. This worldview is central to the speaker's narrative and shapes their understanding of their place in the world.

💡Family

In the script, the term 'family' is used in a broad sense to include not only human relatives but also the land, animals, and all of nature. This reflects the speaker's belief in a universal family that encompasses all living things, contributing to a sense of belonging and interconnectedness.

💡Lucky

The speaker describes feeling 'lucky' as a reflection of their deep appreciation for their cultural heritage and way of life. It signifies the value they place on their connection to the land, community, and the teachings of their ancestors, which they would not exchange for anything else.

Highlights

The speaker was taken away as a child during the Stolen Generation era in Australia.

The concept of land ownership is fundamentally different for Indigenous people, viewing the land as the owner of the people rather than the other way around.

Indigenous people have a deep connection with the land, seeing it as nurturing and integral to their existence.

The land is considered eternal, with no living creature older than it, emphasizing the importance of respecting and caring for the land.

Ancestral teachings pass on the responsibility to care for the land, known as 'gun Nene', which translates to community caring with unconditional love and responsibility.

The speaker describes a sense of oneness with all living things, fostering a feeling of inclusiveness and connectedness.

Growing up with these teachings instills a strong bond with the environment and all living creatures, eliminating feelings of loneliness.

The speaker expresses a deep appreciation for the beauty of their way of life and would not exchange it for anything else.

The Indigenous perspective on life includes a holistic view of existence, where everything is interconnected and part of a larger family.

The speaker recounts their childhood experiences living in harmony with nature, highlighting the natural way of life for Indigenous people.

The importance of language and the passing down of cultural knowledge through generations is emphasized.

The speaker discusses the role of the 'granny law' in shaping their understanding of responsibility towards the land and community.

The concept of 'Bush living' is explained, illustrating a lifestyle that is in tune with the natural environment and its resources.

The speaker reflects on the completeness and wholeness of their cultural practices, which contribute to a fulfilling and meaningful life.

The feeling of being part of a larger family, including all living creatures and elements of nature, is described as a comforting and enriching experience.

The speaker conveys a strong sense of gratitude and luck for being able to live in accordance with their cultural beliefs and values.