Video Transcription

Connecting with your Aboriginal culture through dance

My name is Samuel Stubbs. My Aboriginal name is Widerby. I’m from the Wongutha tribe in the Gold Fields.

How to connect to culture? There are so many different ways you can connect to culture. You can speak to a family member, someone in your community, or an Elder. You can attend local events. For me, my connection is through dance.

You might be looking to connect with your culture because you might be feeling disconnected, lost, or unsure of your background or heritage. You might be searching for a deeper purpose or meaning. Connecting to your culture can make you feel strong, proud, and develop your identity while appreciating the traditions of your ancestors.

My family dance group’s called the Mago Dancers. I’m going to have a yarn with some of them and see how dance has helped them connect to culture.

My name is Clyde Stiles. My Aboriginal name is Gotta Dilby. I’m a Wongutha man from the Gold Fields.

My name is Andrew Stubbs, and my Aboriginal name is Numberedi. I’m from the Wongutha tribe in the Gold Fields.

My name is Benjamin Stubbs. I’m from the Wongutha tribe. My Aboriginal name is Warberry.

Dance makes me feel strong, proud, and deadly.

Being in the city a lot nowadays, dance is a great way to connect with each other and with families, especially the younger and older generations. We do that through dance and sharing knowledge and culture.

Dance is important because it’s an art that has been passed down from generation to generation. It is a way to tell stories and is a big part of our ceremonies.

Elders in our community and leaders pass down their dances from generation to generation. We perform dances at cultural events and gatherings.

When we learn our dances, we connect with our land and our culture, and we keep our culture alive and strong.

It’s really good for your mental health—it lifts you up spiritually. It’s good for your physical health too. It gets the blood pressure pumping, and you feel deadly and strong.

The Wongutha dance is like a welcome dance. We always do it as part of celebrations, welcoming new people, starting ceremonies, and it’s a lot of fun to do and participate in.

There are so many different other things out there to help you connect with your culture and feel stronger and better about yourself.

Dancing is just one way to keep your connection to culture alive and strong. Let’s keep our culture alive and running for generations to come.

Video by ReachOut