FIRST ASSEMBLY OF THE CENTRE FOR REWORLDING
27 APRIL 2021
First Assembly of the Centre for Reworlding (2021) by Jen Rae in collaboration with Claire G. Coleman. Commissioned by Arts House for REFUGE 2021. The activation of the space co-created by Jen Rae, Aunties Vicki Couzens, Bronwyn Razem, Muhubo Sulieman and Vicki Kinai along with over 120 local community members and emergency services., held the First Assembly of the 8 original Reworlders depicted in the film REFUGIUM. The audience was directly addressed by Ellis and Claire in the film with clear instructions to the actions needed and told that their time starts now. A ceremony led by Jen Rae (co-created with Aunties Vicki Couzens and Vicki Kinai) called upon our ancestors to guide us in Reworlding. A performative and guided palaver followed with a ceremonial closing of the First Assembly. Arts House event page
For the oral records, today is the 27 April 2021
[Excerpts from the ceremony]
[SOUNDS from Aunty Muhubo, Aunty Vicki K. and Claire calling us to ceremony] Whistle, Drum, Clap
We would like to begin by acknowledging the unceded lands of the Wurrundjeri and Boon Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation. We recognise their care and deep spiritual connection for country. We wish to pay our respect and gratitude to their Elders past, present and emerging. We also wish to recognise any other First Nations peoples in the audience and to their ancestors.
I would also like to acknowledge Auntie Vicki Couzens - her guidance and generous contributions to this project since 2019 including the protocols and in creating this ceremony tonight – the stone hearth she made on Saturday. As she cannot be with us, we honour her presence and Aunty Bronwyn and hold this space for them.
Tonight’s ceremony is to help cleanse us, clear our minds and negative energies, protect and recentre us so that we can begin the process of Reworlding together.
Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin lent us her tarnuk (this bowl) and the ashes of a ceremony last week. After a year without gatherings, she expressed a desire and need to keep ceremony going…
We use these medicines to ground ourselves so we can connect – to be mindful of what is important, to clear negative energies and attract positive ones.
The Métis as well as many other First Nations people from Turtle Island gift tobacco – the most sacred of our medicine plants in our medicine wheel. It connects us to the land, waters, spirit world and our Great Spirit (in Michif language) Kitchi Manitou. We also smudge our medicine plants – Sage, which helps us to remove negative energy. Cedar cleanses and protects us. And, sweetgrass brings the spirit of love and kindness.
[Smudging with medicine in the inner ear drum of a whale]
Tonight, to Reworld together, we call upon our ancestors for energy, wisdom and strength – to help us see what we need to see, hear what we need to hear, say what we need to say and feel what we need to feel to guide us in the palaver to explore intergenerational justice and child-centred trauma prevention in the climate emergency.
FIRST ASSEMBLY OF THE CENTRE FOR REWORLDING (2021)
Lead Artists - Jen Rae and Claire G. Coleman
Dramaturg and Director: Kamarra Bell-Wykes
Sound: Marco Cher-Gibard
Production Manager and Lighting Design: Richard Vabre
Moderator: Alex Kelly
Reworlders: Claire G. Coleman, Maree Grenfell, Alex Kelly, Jen Rae, Lauren Rickards, Kamarra Bell-Wykes, Angharad Wynne-Jones and Naomi Velaphi
Ceremony: A very special thank you to Aunty Vicki Couzens, Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin, Aunty Vicki Kinai, Aunty Bronwyn Razem and Aunty Muhubo Sulieman for your guidance and generosity.
Ceremonial leis created by Veisinia Tonga
Photos: Emma Byrnes
Video documentation: Martin Potter
Supported by – This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body, and supported by Auspicious Arts, The Venny; Carlton Neighbourhood Learning Centre; North Melbourne Language and Learning; Our Place Carlton; Kensington Neighbourhood House; Museums Victoria; and the City of Melbourne through the Park Rangers – Parks, Property and Waterway, and Arts House.