Increasing knowledge of Indigenous culture

Trinity College grounds on a beautiful sunny day
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Trinity contributes to a deeper understanding of Indigenous culture at the College, the University and the wider community.

This is achieved by:

  • Indigenous students adding to the diversity of the Trinity community, enriching campus life, and adding to the College’s understanding of Indigenous culture
  • the Visiting Scholars program where Indigenous elders, writers, artists and performers share their law, custom and culture with the wider College and University communities
  • the annual visit by resident students and staff to the remote Indigenous community of Minyerri in the Northern Territory where they live and learn about the community and meet with community leaders
  • drama workshops at Nungalinga College in Darwin facilitated by the College’s Foundation Studies Drama School  
  • Theological School visits to Wontulp-bi-Buya College in Cairns and Nungalinya College in Darwin to exchange ideas and gain a greater understanding of Indigenous culture and its implications for the study and practice of theological learning. 

Learning from and with Indigenous communities 

Indigenous Visiting Fellows

The College conducts a program under which Indigenous writers, musicians and community leaders live in residence at Trinity and conduct lectures and workshops for resident students under the Indigenous Visiting Fellows program.

The following Visiting Fellows have participated in this rich and varied program since 2001:

Rarriway Marika

Annually since 2007
Artist and educator from north-east Arnhem Land

Langani Marika

Annually since 2007
Senior law woman Rirratjingu Clan north-east Arnhem Land, culture and tradition educator and expert in bush medicine and local botany

Banduk Marika

2008
Yirrkala Bark painter and printmaker from north east Arnhem Land

Dhuwarrwarr Marika

2008
Statesperson, painter, printmaker from north east Arnhem Land

Kathy Balngayngu Marika

2008
Bangarra Dance Theatre Cultural consultant

Joe Neparrnga Gumbala

2003 2004 2005 2006
Yolngu Elder and musician from Elcho Island Arnhem Land, inaugural University of Melbourne Linga Narra Fellow

Kim Scott

2002
Miles Franklin Literary Award winning Nyoongar author from south east coast of Western Australia, educator

The late Roberta Skyes (d. 2010)

2001
Activist for Black rights and winner of Australia’s highest humanitarian award – the Australian Humanitarian Award, author, educator and government advisor

Ray Vincent

2001
Aboriginal artist from Dhungutti or Bundjalung clans northern New South Wales

Tammy Anderson

2009
Wrote and performed the story of her life, I don't wanna play house

Collections of art and cultural art objects

The College is building a significant collection of artworks by Indigenous artists.

Senior elders of the Marika family of the Rirratjingu clan of the Yolngu people from north east Arnhem Land, entrusted Trinity College with the custodianship of 14 works by Wandjuk Marika. The works depict the coastal waters near Dhambaliya.

More information about Trinity's Indigenous Art Collection

Library collection

The Leeper Library also has a growing collection of Indigenous literature and archival Indigenous materials.