Listen. Three years of worldwide chaos reshaped communities. Here at Time Of Chaos, we explore that experience through a unique lens.
Time Of Chaos is a creation born from collaboration. Carolyn Briggs, a Boon Wurrung Elder, joined forces with Balnarring Preschool. Together, with the children, they created this artwork.
Many years ago, greater Melbourne extended across a vast, grassy plain. The Birrarung, now the Yarra River, flowed through it. This land holds ancient stories.
In December 2019, the idea for Time Of Chaos sparked. N’arweet Carolyn Briggs envisioned a third book in a series. This book would share the Boon Wurrung story of the Time Of Chaos. It would also reflect the community’s journey through the COVID pandemic.
This Time Of Chaos is more than just a story. It represents a collaborative relationship. N’arweet Carolyn Briggs Parbin-ata Boonwurrung worked with children. The teaching team and Balnarring Pre-school community joined too. The children became the illustrators.
The aim was to provide a resource. Teachers, early childhood educators, and the community could use it. They could begin or continue their journeys of reconciliation. The creators hoped readers would see possibilities beyond the story itself.
Embedding First Peoples perspectives is vital. It creates amazing stories within education programs. For a decade, Balnarring Pre-school has embraced reconciliation. They learned with First Peoples knowledges and stories. They intentionally embed these perspectives in all programs.
First Peoples knowledges have transformed teaching. They teach to care for each other. They care for the land and its creatures. They protect the bush and the sea. These stories demonstrate respectful relationships.
Carolyn Briggs Parbin-ata is the Mother of earth and community. She challenges us to view relationships beyond reconciliation. She urges the development of mutual relationships based on reciprocity.
Carolyn Briggs is a descendent of Melbourne’s First Peoples. She belongs to the Yaluk-ut Weelam clan of the Boon Wurrung. She is the great-granddaughter of Louisa Briggs. Louisa was a Boon Wurrung woman born near Melbourne in the 1830s.
For over 40 years, Carolyn has championed Indigenous youth. She has developed strategies to promote Boon Wurrung culture. She believes a shared history unites the Melbourne community.
Time Of Chaos stands as a testament. It shows the power of collaboration. It honors First Peoples perspectives. It offers a path toward reconciliation. It reminds us that even in chaos, community and culture endure. This Time Of Chaos artwork encapsulates a moment. It is a moment of reflection, learning, and hope for a shared future.