From an idea hatched by two lifelong comrades at a Federation Friday Night Forum in 2015, naa muru gurung (to see a path for children) has blazed a trail all the way to the glittering Nice International Film Festival.
The film captures and shares the stories and history of Federation’s involvement in Aboriginal education over the past 100 years has been nominated for an award at the festival.
We will know whether naa muru gurung will take out the Scientific and Educational Award at a red carpet ceremony on the evening of 18 May in the French Cote d’Azur city, just days before the famed Cannes Film Festival opens.
Aboriginal Education Coordinator Charline Emzin-Boyd pointed to the fact just 11 films have been selected worldwide in this category.
“This is certainly a magnificent achievement… a first for any education union in Australia,” Ms Emzin-Boyd said.
“Federation is developing a supplementary teaching documentary, with units of work for teachers and will include sample lessons, for both primary and secondary teachers. We are working to have the resources to support the film released later this year.”
The film premiered at the 2018 Aboriginal Members Conference and featured in Federation’s centenary exhibition, Unity Strength Justice.
The documentary, made by Matilda Films, champions the many warriors, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Federation members past and present, who campaigned, supported and advocated for Aboriginal education, the rights of children, and inclusion of our First Peoples in the early years of our public education system.
— Scott Coomber