Save the Ramindjeri Culture Centre
Donation protected
(WARNING: To Peoples of Australia Original and Torres Strait Islander decent- this article quotes, mentions and contains images of an deceased Australian Original person)
The ancestral land of the Ramindjeri People is under threat, since the passing of Karno Walker, of being reclaimed by the Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC).
The Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC) is a corporate Commonwealth entity established in 1995 to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people acquire and manage land to achieve economic, environmental, social and cultural benefits.
http://www.ilc.gov.au/Home/About-Us
Karno Walker, spiritual warrior and Elder of the Ramindjeri people of Kangaroo Island, and his wife Christine, had been Custodians of a property of land on Kangaroo Island since 2006, when Wulde Wairri Murray Lagoon Sanctury was leased to them by the ILC for their Ramindjeri Trust. When Karno suddenly passed in November 2015, the ILC moved in immediately to reclaim the land and remove the Ramindjeri from their home.
For the past 18 months Christine Walker, along with other supporting Elders and Custodians of this Sacred Ramindjeri country have been struggling to justify - in an endless legal battle with the ILC - as to why they should be allowed to retain their lease of the land.
This is their story. The story of the Ramindjeri people of Kangaroo Island, the extroardinary vision of their spiritual warrior, Karno Walker, and their hope that his legacy will live on.
Wirritjin
Who are the Ramindjeri?
The Ramindjeri People of South Australia are Custodians of the area of land marked on the map above, showing Kangaroo Island and a portion of mainland Australia south of Adelaide to Victor Harbour. The property they are fighting for is the Wulde Waiirri Murray Lagoon Sanctuary - 290 acres of property in the centre of Kangaroo Island.
http://www.wulde-waiirri.com.au
This land is sacred to the Ramindjeri's Kangaroo Island Dreaming, is the birthplace of Wirritjin, and the space where the Ramindjeri Sacred Fire is located.
Who was Karno Walker?
~ Respected Southern Sovereign Whale Lore / Law Man
~ Spokesperson for Ramindjeri Tribe
~ Creator of the Ramindjeri Heritage Association
~ Story Teller and Spiritual Guide of the Ramindjeri People
~ Creator of the Wulde Waiirri Murray Lagoon Sanctury
~ South Australia Delegate of APG (Aboriginal Provisional Government
~ Founder of the Ramindjeri Trust
~ Chairperson for Black Deaths in Custody
~ Head of Ramindjeri Martial Arts
~ Director of the South Australia Security Team -
Karno protected his peoples's relics at the Australia Museum & Art Gallery.
He was also - and most pertinent here - proud advocate of the Ramindjeri concept of Wirritjin, which he hoped to share with the world in order to 'bring the tribes together'.
Karnigi Ramindjeri - Karno's Spirit name - translates as "Holy Warrior walking between two Worlds".
The significance of 'Karta' - Kangaroo Island - to the Ramindjeri Tribe
The Ramindjeri belief is that the spirit of all departed persons followed Ngurunderi to 'Karta'. Ngurunderi is a great ancestral Dreaming 'hero', law giver and shaper of the landscape.
Before Ngurunderi entered the spirit world he told the Ramindjeri that the spirits of their deceased would always follow along his track to Kangaroo Island, that they would stay on the island for a period in the bodies of seals, and eventually, after cleansing themselves in the western waters as he had done, would go up to 'Wairri' the Milky Way and reside there with him and other star spirits of "Nepelle", "Wyungare" and the 'Seven Sisters': ("Mungungee").
Kangaroo Island is thus the legendary Gateway to Star Heaven. "Waiirri".
Wulde Waiirri Murray Lagoon Sanctury -
The Land and Custodians of the
Ramindjeri Sacred Fire
Wulde Waiirri Murray Lagoon Sanctury was leased to Karno and Christine Walker for their Ramindjeri Trust in 2006. Shortly after in 2007 Karno hosted their first cultural gathering on the land - a Spirit Unity meeting of the Ramindjeri people and visiting Navaho Indian tribe in the spirit of Wirritjin. It was then that the sacred Ramindjeri fire of healing and unity was first lit.
It was on this land that the Spirit of Wirritjin was born. It was here on this land where Karno dreamed of building a culture centre for his people and for the gathering of the tribes around their sacred healing fire in this same spirit of Unity.
Wirritjin means - 'Black Fella / White Fella Dreaming Together'. Spirit knows no colour.
Christine Walker is the anchor of this cultural space since the passing of her husband not very long ago. Their union represented far more than the 26 years of happy marriage in light of their envisioning of the concept of Wirritjin they created together. Because Karno was an Indigenous Ramindjeri man and Christine is white, their partnership was the living embodyment of their philosophy. Their love created a space of unity within which the seed of Wirritjin was planted. The seed we wish to nurture for future generations. Indeed, Spirit knows no colour. Love knows no colour either.
Christine has been an integral part of the Dreaming of Wirritjin, the vision of the Wulde Waiirri Murray Lagoon Sanctury on Kangaroo Island and the planning of the Ramindjeri Cultural Centre. She is also on the Ramindjeri Council monitoring Ancestral Lands and documents men's and women's ceremonial sites. She is overseeing this community development project to preserve the Ramindjeri culture for posterity and to keep the spirit of Wirritjin alive.
We need your help to make this possible.
Why the Campaign?
Essentially, this campaign is to support a community development project on Karta - Kangaroo Isand.
This community development project hopes to achieve:
1. Securing the property called Wulde Waiirri (Eagle Heaven) on Kangaroo Island as Meeting Place and Culture Centre of the Ramindjeri People, as a place to share the Ramindjeri cultural beliefs and practices with visitors, in which to hold ceremony and to keep the sacred fire burning. In Ramindjeri Lore, Kangaroo Island (Karta, as they call it, is the Gateway to Star Heaven, a sacred space of ceremonial transcendance for all tribes into the afterlife).
2. Building the Ramindjeri Culture Centre that will serve as an educational hub of their lore and culture, a night time observatory for story telling at the sacred healing fire, and the resting place for the sacred star rocks of this country. This space will also house an art gallery to display the magnificent Ainsley Roberts paintings of the Ramindjeri Story, and coffee shop.
3. Sharing the Ramindjeri vision of Wirritjin - our contribution to the rising peace tide of global unity consciousness in the world.
There is an urgency to getting this funding in motion to build the cultural centre because since Karno's passing, the ILC (Indigenous Land Corporation) wants to revoke the Ramindjeri's rights to the land.
Karno on NITV
In his own words, Karno Walker shares his vision for Wulde Waiirri and speaks about Wirritjin:
http://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/video/353162307538/Custodians-S1-Ep13-Ramindjeri-Kangaroo-Island
Who are we?
Our Community and Custodians
This project is supported by a close knit community who all knew Karno and who are now working with his wife Christine to protect the land and sacred fire and help raise funds to build the culture centre.
Meet the community and hear - in their own words - what this project means to them. These clips were filmed on the property in question.
Unbalara (Vivienne Greenshields) was Karno's Aunty and also his Elder. Unbalara is also a respected Elder of the Ramindjeri people and is Chair of the Ramindjeri Heritage Association. She touches on the impact the Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC) has had on the Ramindjeri case and shares Karno's passion and strength in her story.
Here, Christine speaks with Ky Alecto about her experiences with Karno and why it is important to secure the land for future generations.
Chris Blackmore (on left) and Curt Mountain share their experiences of the Sacred Fire on the land and how they envision future gatherings of Unity of all tribes, everywhere.
Meet Kody Taylor. He was raised by Karno and his Nana Christine. Here he shares tender memories of his 'Uncle', the warrior and the man.
Last, but certainly not least, is Stephen Robertson whom upon first meeting Karno, received his name of spirit - 'Wirritjin". His closing words convey, in conclusion, our determination to honour this Dream.
The Sacred Stones of Ramindjeri Country
Here is a fascinating mystery about an array of marked rocks that have been found over the course of the last 2 years in South Australia that depict several very ancient scripts and markings. Steven and Evan Strong have been relentlessly researching these strange stones and their connection to Ramindjeri Lore. Karno called Steve the 'Keeper of the Stones' and told him about the Ramindjeri stories regarding their origins in relation to the stones and where they were found.
On their website (http://forgottenorigin.com) Steve and Evan's main brief is to prove through scientific fact that which the Elders insist is true. They have assembled facts about archaeological finds, and also early contact accounts, genetics, Serpent myths, Dreaming stories, Amerindian myths, parallels in religious texts, etc into one coherent theory.
In these videos Steve Strong speaks about some of the sacred star rocks in his care, giving insight into a tale of deep mystery of the origins of the Original People of this land and the fascinating language depicted in the unusual markings. He has been a supporter and advocate of Karno and his vision of Wirritjin for many years and continues to endorse all efforts toward unity.
For more information:
http://forgottenorigin.com/from-the-beginning-article-by-steven-evan-strong-with-karno-walker-ramindjeri-spokesperson
http://forgottenorigin.com/divide-and-conquer-the-fate-of-karta-kangaroo-island
There is so very much more information about Karno Walker and what he activated in his life, how he connected people and why he shared his vision of Wirritjin with everyone he met. Visit our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/karnowalker or google "Wirritjin".
Please note: If you would like to support this project in any way other than funding, please contact the organiser here. We will be co-ordinating a volunteer programme throughout the building of this community development project once funding is underway.
Thank you.
"Karta Kunga.
Bless those who listen."
The ancestral land of the Ramindjeri People is under threat, since the passing of Karno Walker, of being reclaimed by the Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC).
The Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC) is a corporate Commonwealth entity established in 1995 to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people acquire and manage land to achieve economic, environmental, social and cultural benefits.
http://www.ilc.gov.au/Home/About-Us
Karno Walker, spiritual warrior and Elder of the Ramindjeri people of Kangaroo Island, and his wife Christine, had been Custodians of a property of land on Kangaroo Island since 2006, when Wulde Wairri Murray Lagoon Sanctury was leased to them by the ILC for their Ramindjeri Trust. When Karno suddenly passed in November 2015, the ILC moved in immediately to reclaim the land and remove the Ramindjeri from their home.
For the past 18 months Christine Walker, along with other supporting Elders and Custodians of this Sacred Ramindjeri country have been struggling to justify - in an endless legal battle with the ILC - as to why they should be allowed to retain their lease of the land.
This is their story. The story of the Ramindjeri people of Kangaroo Island, the extroardinary vision of their spiritual warrior, Karno Walker, and their hope that his legacy will live on.
Wirritjin
Who are the Ramindjeri?
The Ramindjeri People of South Australia are Custodians of the area of land marked on the map above, showing Kangaroo Island and a portion of mainland Australia south of Adelaide to Victor Harbour. The property they are fighting for is the Wulde Waiirri Murray Lagoon Sanctuary - 290 acres of property in the centre of Kangaroo Island.
http://www.wulde-waiirri.com.au
This land is sacred to the Ramindjeri's Kangaroo Island Dreaming, is the birthplace of Wirritjin, and the space where the Ramindjeri Sacred Fire is located.
Who was Karno Walker?
~ Respected Southern Sovereign Whale Lore / Law Man
~ Spokesperson for Ramindjeri Tribe
~ Creator of the Ramindjeri Heritage Association
~ Story Teller and Spiritual Guide of the Ramindjeri People
~ Creator of the Wulde Waiirri Murray Lagoon Sanctury
~ South Australia Delegate of APG (Aboriginal Provisional Government
~ Founder of the Ramindjeri Trust
~ Chairperson for Black Deaths in Custody
~ Head of Ramindjeri Martial Arts
~ Director of the South Australia Security Team -
Karno protected his peoples's relics at the Australia Museum & Art Gallery.
He was also - and most pertinent here - proud advocate of the Ramindjeri concept of Wirritjin, which he hoped to share with the world in order to 'bring the tribes together'.
Karnigi Ramindjeri - Karno's Spirit name - translates as "Holy Warrior walking between two Worlds".
The significance of 'Karta' - Kangaroo Island - to the Ramindjeri Tribe
The Ramindjeri belief is that the spirit of all departed persons followed Ngurunderi to 'Karta'. Ngurunderi is a great ancestral Dreaming 'hero', law giver and shaper of the landscape.
Before Ngurunderi entered the spirit world he told the Ramindjeri that the spirits of their deceased would always follow along his track to Kangaroo Island, that they would stay on the island for a period in the bodies of seals, and eventually, after cleansing themselves in the western waters as he had done, would go up to 'Wairri' the Milky Way and reside there with him and other star spirits of "Nepelle", "Wyungare" and the 'Seven Sisters': ("Mungungee").
Kangaroo Island is thus the legendary Gateway to Star Heaven. "Waiirri".
Wulde Waiirri Murray Lagoon Sanctury -
The Land and Custodians of the
Ramindjeri Sacred Fire
Wulde Waiirri Murray Lagoon Sanctury was leased to Karno and Christine Walker for their Ramindjeri Trust in 2006. Shortly after in 2007 Karno hosted their first cultural gathering on the land - a Spirit Unity meeting of the Ramindjeri people and visiting Navaho Indian tribe in the spirit of Wirritjin. It was then that the sacred Ramindjeri fire of healing and unity was first lit.
It was on this land that the Spirit of Wirritjin was born. It was here on this land where Karno dreamed of building a culture centre for his people and for the gathering of the tribes around their sacred healing fire in this same spirit of Unity.
Wirritjin means - 'Black Fella / White Fella Dreaming Together'. Spirit knows no colour.
Christine Walker is the anchor of this cultural space since the passing of her husband not very long ago. Their union represented far more than the 26 years of happy marriage in light of their envisioning of the concept of Wirritjin they created together. Because Karno was an Indigenous Ramindjeri man and Christine is white, their partnership was the living embodyment of their philosophy. Their love created a space of unity within which the seed of Wirritjin was planted. The seed we wish to nurture for future generations. Indeed, Spirit knows no colour. Love knows no colour either.
Christine has been an integral part of the Dreaming of Wirritjin, the vision of the Wulde Waiirri Murray Lagoon Sanctury on Kangaroo Island and the planning of the Ramindjeri Cultural Centre. She is also on the Ramindjeri Council monitoring Ancestral Lands and documents men's and women's ceremonial sites. She is overseeing this community development project to preserve the Ramindjeri culture for posterity and to keep the spirit of Wirritjin alive.
We need your help to make this possible.
Why the Campaign?
Essentially, this campaign is to support a community development project on Karta - Kangaroo Isand.
This community development project hopes to achieve:
1. Securing the property called Wulde Waiirri (Eagle Heaven) on Kangaroo Island as Meeting Place and Culture Centre of the Ramindjeri People, as a place to share the Ramindjeri cultural beliefs and practices with visitors, in which to hold ceremony and to keep the sacred fire burning. In Ramindjeri Lore, Kangaroo Island (Karta, as they call it, is the Gateway to Star Heaven, a sacred space of ceremonial transcendance for all tribes into the afterlife).
2. Building the Ramindjeri Culture Centre that will serve as an educational hub of their lore and culture, a night time observatory for story telling at the sacred healing fire, and the resting place for the sacred star rocks of this country. This space will also house an art gallery to display the magnificent Ainsley Roberts paintings of the Ramindjeri Story, and coffee shop.
3. Sharing the Ramindjeri vision of Wirritjin - our contribution to the rising peace tide of global unity consciousness in the world.
There is an urgency to getting this funding in motion to build the cultural centre because since Karno's passing, the ILC (Indigenous Land Corporation) wants to revoke the Ramindjeri's rights to the land.
Karno on NITV
In his own words, Karno Walker shares his vision for Wulde Waiirri and speaks about Wirritjin:
http://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/video/353162307538/Custodians-S1-Ep13-Ramindjeri-Kangaroo-Island
Who are we?
Our Community and Custodians
This project is supported by a close knit community who all knew Karno and who are now working with his wife Christine to protect the land and sacred fire and help raise funds to build the culture centre.
Meet the community and hear - in their own words - what this project means to them. These clips were filmed on the property in question.
Unbalara (Vivienne Greenshields) was Karno's Aunty and also his Elder. Unbalara is also a respected Elder of the Ramindjeri people and is Chair of the Ramindjeri Heritage Association. She touches on the impact the Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC) has had on the Ramindjeri case and shares Karno's passion and strength in her story.
Here, Christine speaks with Ky Alecto about her experiences with Karno and why it is important to secure the land for future generations.
Chris Blackmore (on left) and Curt Mountain share their experiences of the Sacred Fire on the land and how they envision future gatherings of Unity of all tribes, everywhere.
Meet Kody Taylor. He was raised by Karno and his Nana Christine. Here he shares tender memories of his 'Uncle', the warrior and the man.
Last, but certainly not least, is Stephen Robertson whom upon first meeting Karno, received his name of spirit - 'Wirritjin". His closing words convey, in conclusion, our determination to honour this Dream.
The Sacred Stones of Ramindjeri Country
Here is a fascinating mystery about an array of marked rocks that have been found over the course of the last 2 years in South Australia that depict several very ancient scripts and markings. Steven and Evan Strong have been relentlessly researching these strange stones and their connection to Ramindjeri Lore. Karno called Steve the 'Keeper of the Stones' and told him about the Ramindjeri stories regarding their origins in relation to the stones and where they were found.
On their website (http://forgottenorigin.com) Steve and Evan's main brief is to prove through scientific fact that which the Elders insist is true. They have assembled facts about archaeological finds, and also early contact accounts, genetics, Serpent myths, Dreaming stories, Amerindian myths, parallels in religious texts, etc into one coherent theory.
In these videos Steve Strong speaks about some of the sacred star rocks in his care, giving insight into a tale of deep mystery of the origins of the Original People of this land and the fascinating language depicted in the unusual markings. He has been a supporter and advocate of Karno and his vision of Wirritjin for many years and continues to endorse all efforts toward unity.
For more information:
http://forgottenorigin.com/from-the-beginning-article-by-steven-evan-strong-with-karno-walker-ramindjeri-spokesperson
http://forgottenorigin.com/divide-and-conquer-the-fate-of-karta-kangaroo-island
There is so very much more information about Karno Walker and what he activated in his life, how he connected people and why he shared his vision of Wirritjin with everyone he met. Visit our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/karnowalker or google "Wirritjin".
Please note: If you would like to support this project in any way other than funding, please contact the organiser here. We will be co-ordinating a volunteer programme throughout the building of this community development project once funding is underway.
Thank you.
"Karta Kunga.
Bless those who listen."
Fundraising team (1)
Louise Clarke
Organizer
South
Christine Walker
Team member
