Wangany Mala

Narratives of Captain Cook and the First Fleet popularise the perception that this contact was the first time First Nations people engaged with people overseas. In fact, many hundreds of years before the establishment of colonies, First Nations were integral to a trade whose ultimate customer was China’s Qing dynasty. Amplifying these connections creates greater awareness of a proud First Nations history and reinforces calls for greater agency in the management of land, sea and community.

First Nations people engaged in international trade many hundreds of years before the establishment of European colonies in Australia. At a time when communities across the country are calling for greater agency in the management of land and sea, the story of the Makassans should be amplified and celebrated. First Nations continue to forge links with Indonesia – and this presents a further opportunity for Australia to get closer to our near-northern neighbour.

Short-term target outcomes include an increased knowledge of the First Nations – South Sulawesi trading relationship, and an awareness of the pride that exists on both sides of the relationship. It is also important for audiences to understand the various actions of Australian authorities that have stood in the way of these international relationships.
In the medium term we would like to see more support for initiatives that further build on the relationships between First Nations communities and people in South Sulawesi. These could include creative partnerships, leadership dialogues or even joint business and tourism initiatives. Over the long term we would like to see closer ties between Australia and Indonesia, both at a people-to-people and broader diplomatic level. In particular, we would like First Nations people to have a far greater role in Australian international relations across Asia and beyond.

The film has been produced in collaboration with the Mulka Project in Yirrkala, northeast Arnhem Land, and the Anindilyakwa Land Council on Groote Eylandt. The Australian Consulate in Makassar has provided advice and support throughout the production process, and both Deakin University and Monash University in Melbourne have expressed a desire to support distribution. This project is also part of the National Film and Sound Archive Take Three initiative, and because much of the archive material included in the film features First Nations community, we have consulted very closely with Mulka and obtained all permissions. Arian Pearson and Timmy Burarrwanga have guided the project through the appropriate pathways for filming on country and ensuring all featured individuals are compensated.

We believe that the international engagement depicted in the film has been stifled for hundreds of years, and continues to be obstructed by Australian authorities. We would like audiences to share the story with their wider network – in particular younger people. Moreover the call to action is to learn more about the stories and cultures of Yolngu and Anindilyakwa people.

1. Share this film with your network and across social media
2. Learn more about the culture, knowledge and art of Yolngu and Anindilyakwa People
3. Visit Arnhem Land, Groote Eylandt or South Sulawesi and support locally-led tourism initiatives.