Conduit

~ Ngunawal interpretations provided by Jai Bell 

Ngunawal 

Gulunggaya Ngining Bilbi Nadjang Daoure Indegee Dhari Dhawura
Indegee Gulunggaya Bayang Dhanu Indegee
Gawar Mangga
Gawar
 
Indegee Gulunggaya Mil Daoure
 
Gulunggaya Mara
Dhanugulanga Gunanggu  
Dhanugulanga Ngurumbang
 
Indegee Gulunggaya Dambalinyi
 
Indegee Gulunggaya Gawar Minga
 
Nguna Minya Yimaba Bula Ganan
Nadjang Daoure Dhuni
Indegee
 
Bunima
Dhanu Dhuniyang Indegee
Djaan Mara
 
Yimaba Ganan Wandiny Yimaba Djaan
Dhanu Dhuniyang  
 
Banggi Indegee Gulunggaya Mara Ganan Nadjang Daoure
 
 
 

English

My feet are covered in dirt from Mother Earth as I stand still on her Country.
I use my body as conduit as she begins to fill me—
with a heartfelt message,
with utmost love,
 
I open my eyes to the truth inscribed in the earth
 
My hands uncover the stories—
her people
her places
 
I use my mind like a justice scale
and endeavour to weigh up the facts—
with incriminating evidence,
with undeniable proof
 
I close my heart to the trauma etched upon page
            I can’t comprehend this hurt
 
This is what you need to know
Mother Earth will say
as I become threadbare
 
Winds of change
she tells me
are already on the way—
 
You’ll know when you’re ready
She says
 
Over thick skin I rub my hands
and listen deeply to Mother Country.