KAPULULANGU WOMEN'S LAW AND CULTURE CENTRE

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What the Campers
from the August 2010
Women’s Culture Learning Camp
say about their experience....

Julie:
“Please let the Elders know how much I love, respect and thank them for their generosity in welcoming and teaching me. I was touched by the Elders’ trust and humour. I am in awe of their wisdom and commitment to holding Yawulyu (Women’s Law). I feel the task, the vital work of holding Yawulyu is momentously exhausting, essential and so under-resourced.”

Sandra:
“It gave me a broader understanding of the urgency of passing on the Law. I cannot begin to understand how the elders feel with time marching on. I believe I learnt humility. It was a great honour to attend the Camp, and spend time with the elders.”

Maddi:
“Brilliant! Brilliant! Brilliant! Thank you for the experience of a life time. I truly have cherished ‘growing up’ and all that the elders shared with us.”

Toma:
“In my everyday being, Kapululangu has changed me.”

KAPULULANGU WOMEN'S CAMPS for 2011

Women’s Culture Learning Camps
18 to 24 April; 8 to 14 August & 5 to 11 September

Six days of living with the Kapululangu Women Elders on the Balgo Women’s Law Ground.
Community, Ceremonies, Country & Cultural Awakening

Women’s Law Camp 3 to 9 May

Six days of Deep Ceremony under guidance of Women Elders at bush-based Women’s Law Ground.

Ceremonial Dreaming Track Trek 14 to 19 June

Six days of travelling along a Dreaming Track conducting ceremonies at sacred sites with the Kapululangu Women Elders.

Mothers and Daughters Culture Learning Camp
3 to 9 October
This camp will only be held if 10 Mother & Daughter (ages 12 to 18) pairs book to attend.
Otherwise it will be a normal Women's Culture Learning Camp

"Kapululangu 2011 Camp Brochure"
Click the Kapululangu Logo

What is the Kapululangu Aboriginal Women’s Association (AC)

The Kapululangu Aboriginal Women’s Association (“Kapululangu”) is the women’s organisation in Balgo, Western Australia. It runs one of Australia’s most remote women’s centres – the Kapululangu Women’s Law and Culture Centre. It is a prominent provider of Women’s Law and Culture activities and events to both Indigenous and Non-Indigenous women and men in the Kutjungka region of the south-eastern Kimberley, and from across northern Western Australia and around Australia.

What is the Women’s Culture Learning Camp

The Women’s Culture Learning Camp is a 6 day camp where you get to learn Women’s Culture under the guidance of Kapululangu’s Women Elders. It takes place at the Kapululangu Women’s Law and Culture Centre in Balgo. This is a rare opportunity to live with Kapululangu’s Aboriginal Women Elders on their Women’s Law Ground in Balgo. The Camp involves a mix of women’s Law ceremony and cultural awareness workshops in a safe, supportive and inspiring learning environment. As guests of the Elders, participants engage in Cultural Ceremony, daily Cultural Awakening workshops and training to be a Tilitja (Culture Workers). After completing the Women’s Culture Learning Camp program participants are invited to attend a Women’s Law Camp or Ceremonial Dreaming Track Journey. Both Non-local Indigenous and Non-Indigenous women are welcome.

Purpose of the Women’s Culture Learning Camp:

The purpose of the Women’s Culture Learning Camp is to induct Non-Indigenous and non-local Indigenous women into local Kutjungka-region Aboriginal women’s cultural practices, values and concepts as a contribution to promoting Intercultural Reconciliation. This is a major contribution towards improving cross-cultural collaborative relations between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australian peoples. It aids in strengthening the capacity of Kapululangu’s Women Elders to pass their cultural knowledge on to their younger generations, by bringing in an income which is independent of government funding which has historically been inadequate and uncertain. By encouraging pride among local Aboriginal women, men and children in their cultural heritage Kapululangu aims to foster self-esteem and resilience among the Kutjungka’s Indigenous residents. And through fostering pride and self-esteem based on cultural heritage to contribute to diminishing and overcoming the cultural trauma of our communities which are currently impacting local Indigenous lives.

Who May Participate in the Camps

Indigenous and Non-Indigenous women aged 19 years and over are welcome to attend the Kapululangu Women’s Culture Learning Camps, the Women’s Law Camp and the Ceremonial Dreaming Track Trek. Young Women aged 12 to 18 may participate in the Mothers and Daughters Women’s Culture Learning Camp. Participants must complete a Women’s Culture Learning Camp before attending a Women’s Law Camp and a Ceremonial Dreaming Track Trek.

What we Offer You:

6 days Women’s Culture Learning Program
Unique opportunity to reside with Women Elders on Balgo Women’s Law Ground
Intimate visit to Balgo, one of Australia’s most remote desert Aboriginal communities
Highly Skilled and Qualified Indigenous Knowledge Custodians and Cultural Tutors
Participation in Women’s Ceremonies and customary activities
Cultural Awakening workshops with a Non-Indigenous Coordinator
On-site qualified Counsellor
Opportunity to develop one-on-one relationship with Women Elders
Connectedness with Country (including sacred sites)
Visit to Balgo Art Centre – opportunity to purchase art from local artists
Delicious and Nutritious Meals
Plus a few Surprises which we won’t tell you about!!!

Cultural Learning Activities include:

Staying in the Tjilimi / Law Women’s House on Balgo Women’s Law Ground
Introduction to Local Indigenous community
Welcome to Country/Women’s Law Ground Ceremony
Women’s Law Ceremony
Women’s Corroboree
Traditional Song and Dancing
Camping out Overnight in Bush
Traditional Body-painting
Bush Trips (Special Sites)
Cultural Awakening Workshops
Sand-Story – traditional storytelling illustrated with sand-drawing
Story-Telling and Yarning around the Fire
Hunting and bush foods gathering (in season)
Personalised Counselling on request
Opportunity to participate in Kapululangu's other Cultural programs
Opportunity to join Kapululangu's Support Network

"Kapululangu 2011 Camp Brochure"
Click the Kapululangu Logo

Costs for Attending Camps

Adults (19+ years) Indigenous and Non-Indigenous	Each Camp	$2500
Adults (19+ years) Indigenous and Non-Indigenous	Women's Culture Learning Camp + Women's Law Camp or Dreaming Track Trek: Receive a $1000 discount	$4000
Non-Local Indigenous Elders	All Camps	$500
Kutjungka Aboriginal Women	All Camps	Free
Girsl (12-18 years) (must have a guardian) Indigenous and Non-Indigenous	Mothers and Daughters Culture Learning Camp or Women's Law Camp	$500
Stay with Kapululangu between April Women's Culture Learning Camp and May Women's Law Camp	Stay at Women's Law House	$200

How to Apply and Make Your Payment

Step 1: Fill out the Application form found in the Kapululangu 2011 Camp Brochure. Remember to sign it. Preferably scan & email to admin@kapululangu.org	"Kapululangu 2011 Camp Brochure" Click the Kapululangu Logo
Step 2: Read and Sign the Camp Participants Agreement and Fill out the Medical Information Preferably scan & email to admin@kapululangu.org	"Camp Participants Agreement" Click the Kapululangu Logo
Step 3: Pay your $500 deposit directly into Kapululangu's bank account before the payment dates shown in the Camp Brochure. We cannot accept cheques as the nearest bank is 900kms away from our community. Preferably scan & email Your Name, Date of Payment and Payment Reference Number to admin@kapululangu.org	Pay to: Kapululangu Aboriginal Women's Association Commonwealth Bank Kununurra Branch BSB: 066 530 Ac: 10107707
Step 4: After you have applied and paid the deposit, Kapululangu will contact you regarding your application. If your participation is accepted, you will be invited to pay the outstanding amount on the full payment by the pay-by date in the Brochure. Then we'll put you in touch with other participants attending the Camp so you can organise shared 4WD vehicle hire and travel with them.

Want more Information?

"What you Need to Know about the Camp" Click the Kapululangu Logo	"Who is Involved in the Camp" Click the Kapululangu Logo
"Cultural Protocol and Etiquette" Click the Kapululangu Logo	"What to Bring (and Not Bring) with You" Click the Kapululangu Logo