Story by Tania Major
The Kowanyama Art and Cultural Project sponsored by RISE and managed by Tania Major Consulting, carries on the vision of studying and celebrating our ancient heritage and expressing them in our current environment through a planned program of community-based art activities.
RISE Artist include: Fayleen Jimmy, Matilda Aidan, Priscilla Major, Chrissy Aidan, Noleen Cecil and Delwyne David
The 2021 Ngethn O’ group exhibition for the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair involved crafting the old (shields) whilst developing the new (painting). The decision to incorporate both traditional shields and a repertoire of black and white painted images is primarily grounded on two reasons: 1) the need to develop our painting skills and techniques; and 2) understanding how we use art as an important means of transmitting our traditional knowledge and practices across generations.
Ngethn O’ incorporated sculpture (shields) using traditional technology and paintings to tell a pictorial story of the people of Kowanyama. Photographic references from our archive were used to serve as a cultural and historical base for the accompanying black and white paintings. The project’s intent is to capture the Kowanyama people’s nature and energy whilst in their element, either dancing, hunting, yarning, making a dilly bag or just being. It unites its ancient history with our current lives.
Matilda Aidan painting whilst community residents check out the mentoring painting workshop 
Fayleen Jimmy learning about color and portrait painting during the mentoring workshop.
The RISE Art and Cultural Project has helped develop and apply an artistic representation of Kowanyama’s story, hopefully it has captured the vision of passing on Kowanyama’s traditional ways and knowledge in a changing world.
It honours the Elders who worked hard to keep the cultural heritage of its country and its people alive. It serves as a foundation for Kowanyama identities from childhood and throughout our lives. It conjoins our lives with our country. Kowanyama hopes to inspire other communities to celebrate their ancestral, cultural heritage while at the same time encouraging the development of a long-term Arts and Cultural Program that engage youth.
Noleen Cecil getting colorful for our community exhibition on Tuesday the 7th of December 
Finishing touches on the mural
“Ngethn o’ “is pronounced, “ngeth-n-oh”. It is a traditional expression used as a call to ancestors when entering and/or introducing strangers to Country. It means ‘we are here’ and is a respectful acknowledgement, with permission sought and gratitude felt, for the land and water that connects us all. It is likewise a celebration of the fact that as an Aboriginal community, Kowanyama (we) truly are still here.
Thank big you to the following Community Organisations for their CIAF sponsorship and support: Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council, Kowanyama Police Social Club, Abm Elgoring Ambung Aboriginal Corporation, Kowanyama Culture and Research Centre and Kowanyama Sports Association.
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