Reflections on My Years at Elcho and Mäpuru (1978–2015)

Abstract

For close to 40 years John Greatorex has worked with Yolŋu people in North East Arnhem Land. In this reflective chapter, John discusses the experiences that have shaped his thinking as an educator while working on Galiwin’ku at Elcho Island, in the Yolŋu Studies program at Charles Darwin University and collaborating with a small Yolŋu township to establish and then teach at Mäpuru, a small independent school. This chapter considers ways in which communities can develop better commercial understandings so that they can handle mainstream transactions while at the same time asserting teaching and learning in their own languages and on their own country.

Facilitated by Brian and Nancy Devlin, based on recorded Skype sessions with John, who was at Mäpuru, on March 3 and April 14, 2015.