Acknowledgment of country

Polyglot acknowledges that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live and create, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present. For more than 65,000 years, children and families have created and played here, and we are grateful to make our art on this country too.

Totems

A First Nations-led Kids Collaboration that asks children: What do you want the kids of Australia to know about this place?

Totems is an interactive experience that is being developed to tour schools around the country, particularly in regional and remote areas. It focuses on animals and stories from different places and communities.

A Totems production photo. Students in red and black uniforms hold up a huge Gurrgiyn / praying mantis made from cane and hessian. They are outdoors, among trees, next to a blue fabric river. Family and friends watch. Photo: Alicia Fox

The story so far

Totems is led by two Polyglot artists: First Nations writer Blayne Welsh, a Wailwan man, and designer and puppet-maker Tamara Rewse. In 2024, we are excited to bring the project to Blayne’s Wailwan Country, working with the students and educators of Warren Central School, Warraan Widji Arts, and the local community to develop Totems further.

A Totems production photo. Polyglot artists Tamara Rewse and Blayne Welsh stand together, smiling. They wear black t-shirts, and Tamara wears a handmade paper hat. They are outdoors. Photo: Alicia Fox A Totems production photo. Children wearing red and black school uniforms and handmade paper costumes stand together outside, under trees. One child smiles at the camera. They are outdoors. Photo: Alicia Fox

Totems is an interactive experience that is being developed to tour schools around the country, particularly in regional and remote areas. It focuses on animals and stories from different places and communities, and asks children: What do you want the kids of Australia to know about this place? Using local totems or moieties, the story is formed by the community, working with Blayne as writing lead, and Tamara as creative maker lead, with both artists facilitating and deeply engaging with children in the re-telling. Totems is envisioned as an eventual three-part performance, weaving the stories from three communities into a performance that shares First Nations culture with students across Australia.

A Totems production photo. Three children wearing red and black school uniforms create and play with paper and bamboo. They are in a room with a wooden floor, next to stacked chairs. Photo: Alicia Fox A Totems production photo. A child in a red and black school uniform stands next to a tree, holding their incredible, handmade bird puppet in a paper nest. Photo: Alicia Fox

Across 2022-2023, we worked in partnership with Kinchela Boys Home in Kempsey NSW, and local schools in Kempsey, to develop the project. In 2023, Blayne and Tamara, together with local First Nations artist Colleena Smith, delivered 17 creative workshops on Dunghutti Country at Kempsey South Public School, collaborating with children to develop characters, stories, narrative arc and a script. In September, a public performance was held, engaging all students and educators at the school. It featured the story of a giant praying mantis, known as Gurrigiyn in Dunghutti. Many families and community members attended to watch and celebrate with the students, educators and artists.

A Totems production photo. Children in red and black school uniforms, and handmade paper costume elements, are gathered outdoors with Polyglot artists Tamara Rewse and Blayne Welsh. They sit and stand under trees. Photo: Alicia Fox A Totems production photo. Children wearing red and black school uniforms and handmade paper costumes sit together outdoors on a large blue and white rug. One child smiles at the camera. Photo: Alicia Fox

Totems is assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body, and the Malcolm Robertson Foundation.

  • For me, the opportunity to take play and performance outside has been a fabulous experience. It is ever so important when you are actually dealing with content that is connected with Country. The freedom and natural play that happens in the bush is the best way to make a show!

    Blayne Welsh, Polyglot artist

  • It brings you into your culture and helps you to be creative.

    Student

  • Empowerment comes to mind for this project, also, giving voice. It was so revealing seeing how hard it was for students to engage with story, their stories, their communities’ stories. We can elevate that and give space for it.

    Tamara Rewse

  • The project inspired students to take creative risks both in design and performance. It encouraged students to have a go at things they would generally dismiss and helped them to see that their peers were also learning new skills alongside them.

    Educator

  • I really feel from the experience we’ve already had, and the excitement and potential for the creative power of the kids in Kempsey South, Totems is set to become a deeply Indigenised program, offering children and community voices from some of the remotest regions to be heard and shared with children from all over the country.

    Blayne Welsh, Polyglot artist

  • I was happy and proud because I was able to be a leader.

    Student

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