| Babbinyuwi Wanda (Father Son Climbing) |
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The SEWB Team was invited to attend the Rights of Passage Camp that was organised by the Butchulla(Badtjala) Men's Business Aboriginal Association. This was a pilot run of a contemporary Rights of passage for Boys to earn their right to become young men. This event was being held at Raven's Hill Maryborough National Park on sacred site for the Butchulla (Badtjala) People.
It was a Five day Journey that was a truly "life Changing Experience" for all of those that had shared in it. It was extremely special for a couple people and myself as I am a Butchulla Man and it was the first time on that sacred country. The other humbling experience was that it was the first time a rites of passage ceremony was held on sacred ground for over 200 years. Uncle Glen Miller (Butchulla Elder) used this as an opportunity to allow Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Men and Boys, but also actively invited all men and boys in the community to start a strong foundation for reconciliation between cultures.
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| It started with Amazing full traditional ceremony for entering the land by Dustin Curry local Butchulla (Badtjala) man. |
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| It continued over the next two days with learning from shared experiences for the men around yarning circles and living from the "
Three Butchulla(Badtjala)Lores". First Lore "What best for the land must come first."
Second lore "Don't touch or take what's not yours".Third lore "If you have much you must share." |
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Then it came to Challenge Night which lived up to the title it was amazing test that created the atmosphere for each to look at themselves and see the boy and how to change what "type" of man they wanted to become. This lead to the boys proving themselves allowing them to take the first step towards becoming the strong, healthy role models for their families and their communities that can be.
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The fourth day was initiation Ceremony of allowing the Boys to now become young men and reflect on their journey and receive the honouring praises from the older men.
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The last day was about continuing to embed the threelores that help both young men and the old men as they too had to grow a level to allow them all to step up.
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