An Aboriginal elder shares a creation story about a curlew, a moon, and two babies at a sacred site in the Northern Territory of Australia. The story highlights the importance of traditional knowledge and connects the young girls to their cultural heritage.
Frank Shadforth, standing at the headwaters of Seven Emu Creek in the Northern Territory’s Gulf Country, shares a creation story with two Aboriginal girls. He tells them about a curlew who had two babies, a boy and a girl, but used to walk out at night. The moon watched the curlew and each night, it came down closer. On the third night, the curlew went too far, and the moon snuck down and grabbed the babies. The curlew raced back, and there was a big fight between the moon and curlew.
The curlew managed to grab the baby boy and threw him in the thick grass, but the moon grabbed the girl and took her away. The moon was so angry that it threw a big rock back at the curlew, which landed where Shadforth is standing. Shadforth points out the rocky terrace, where a gentle stream of spring water flows. Below the spring, a wide, glassy pool is filled with native fish. He mentions there's a freshwater crocodile lurking somewhere among the reeds and water lilies near the opposite bank. Red earth and pandanus pines line the water's edge. The girls listen closely as they are taking part in Shadforth’s Jarrdimba Bayamuku (Strengthening the Children) diversionary program. Bella*, 14, is staying at Seven Emu instead of spending time in one of the NT’s residential youth justice facilities, while an educator referred Alice*, 13, to the program. It is one of several initiatives designed to support Aboriginal young people at risk of repeat encounters with NT police and the youth justice system
Aboriginal Culture Creation Story Sacred Site Traditional Knowledge Youth Justice
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