Max Harrison Max Harrison i(A109147 works by) (a.k.a. Max Dulumunmun Harrison; Djarla Dulumunmun)
Gender: Male
Heritage: Aboriginal Yuin ; Aboriginal
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BiographyHistory

'Max Dulumunmun Harrison or Djarla Dulumunmun, an initiated Yuin man, grew up on the South Coast of NSW as part of a close community where some boys and young men were still selected for initiation into ancient ways. As an adult, seeing the widespread marginalisation of his people and lack of acceptance of traditional teachings began what has become his life's work- providing a way for others to understand Aboriginal culture.

Over the past three decades, he has taken thousands of people onto country- teaching international students, architects, environmentalists, government ministers and advisers, medical researchers and practitioners his traditional culture. He has been consulted by governments on land rights issues and shared the podium at major events with spiritual leaders from around the world (including the Dalai Lama).' Source: My People's Dreaming: An Aboriginal Elder Speaks on Life, Land, Spirit and Forgiveness (2009)

Exhibitions

Most Referenced Works

Personal Awards

Awards for Works

y separately published work icon Gurawul the Whale : An Ancient Story for Our Time Broome : Magabala Books , 2023 25774085 2023 single work picture book Indigenous story

'‘When I was 10 years old, I was given Gurawul’s story by my grandfather Muns…in the dirt…they made me promise to go to the southern land and search for the whale dreaming. I had no idea what it meant or that it would take me 70 years to keep it.’ — Uncle Max Harrison

'More than 70 years ago, the ancient legend of Gurawul the whale was passed down to Yuin Elder Uncle Max Dulumunmun Harrison by his grandfather and uncles. He promised them that one day he would travel to the southern land, Tasmania, and search for the whale dreaming of their Ancestors.

'This exquisitely illustrated book tells the story of Uncle Max’s journey to fulfil that promise, and how he eventually came face to face with Gurawul.

'Filled with important cultural knowledge and personal stories, Uncle Max sadly died before Gurawul could be published, and his family are continuing his legacy to show how science is finally beginning to catch up with these ‘old blackfella’ stories.' (Publication summary)

2024 shortlisted The Wilderness Society Environment Award for Children's Literature Karajia Award Nonfiction
2024 shortlisted Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIA) Small Publishers' Children's Book of the Year
y separately published work icon My People's Dreaming : An Aboriginal Elder Speaks on Life, Land, Spirit and Forgiveness Sydney : Finch , 2009 Z1648413 2009 single work life story (taught in 3 units) 'The teachings I reveal in this book are the living treasures of my life. The traditional knowledge I talk about includes Creation Dreaming, bush lore, foods and healing, laws and punishment, spirituality and relationship to the land. These are some of the things taught to me by my teachers, my masters. And I will never forget them. They made me look at the Mother with ancient eyes. Not mine. But with ancient eyes and now it is my turn to pass on what I know.' Source: My People's Dreaming: An Aboriginal Elder Speaks on Life, Land, Spirit and Forgiveness (2009)
2007 winner Rona Tranby Award
Last amended 4 Jul 2017 09:50:41
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