To be deadly is to do something amazing and do it with pride.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
And for Wiradjuri elders Aunty Muriel Williams and Aunty Edna Stewart the path towards a treaty in Victoria is well on its way thanks to a new government campaign which focuses on just that.
The Albury-based Aboriginal women are just two of a number of elders from across the state who have come together for the new Deadly & Proud campaign to share the story of the traditional owners.
The government online platform deadlyandproud.vic.gov.au aims to share stories from traditional owners and Aboriginal Victorians about why they can feel pride in the state's Aboriginal heritage.
Victorians can learn more about the land on which these stories are told and the connection to country by exploring the interactive map of Victoria on the platform.
For Aunty Muriel and Aunty Edna, a focus of their story was Mungabareena Reserve.
"Mungabareena in Wiradjuri means meeting place, it is a place where tribes used to come together there," Aunty Muriel told The Border Mail.
"That was their meeting place, they danced, shared stories, sometimes marriages, trade and from there they used to go onto Mount Bogong where they used to get the Bogong moth - that was their food source.
"It is important to understand what a special place it is. We would like to see it looked over and cared for.
"Because our people were caring and sharing people, they looked after the land and the rivers."
Aunty Edna said they took part in the campaign because, while there is a long way to go until a treaty is signed, it is step in the right direction.
"They need to come to an understanding of what our people went through," she said.
"And what happened in the past to them, I think Victoria is the state that is leading that.
"People have to acknowledge and be told about it.
We just want to teach our kids they can do anything today, so when they grow up they don't have to look over their shoulder and think 'well I can't do that because I am black'.
- Aunty Muriel
"We are definitely working towards it - I don't know how far off it is, but it is definitely in the works and I think this campaign is a big push towards that.
"Our history needs to be taught in schools so the kids can realise what it means to us and to understand what it stands for.
"The river was a main thing for our people.
"Our people looked after the river and kids have got to understand, it needs to be taught to them and learnt, I think Mungabareena is a beautiful spot for everything.
"We as a community care for it, the Albury-Wodonga community care for that spot."
As someone who has worked in the education industry for the past 15 years, Aunty Muriel said the campaign is a tool that schools can use to create a greater understanding about the Aboriginal people.
"Our language was a big part of our culture so our language is something that was taken off us, but there is a big push there which is good," she said.
"We just want to teach our kids they can do anything today, so when they grow up they don't have to look over their shoulder and think well I can't do that because I am black.
"And to be proud about doing it."
When both women were younger, finishing year 12 was not on the cards for them as Aboriginal women.
But seeing the younger generation achieve that and go on to further studies, they say is "deadly".
"Deadly means to me, to do something that is great," Aunty Edna said.
"A lot of our kids are finishing year 12 now and we say that is deadly that they can do that.
"When I was growing up you never saw that.
"Today it is happening and these kids are doing it.
"For them to do that it is deadly and we are proud of them,
"We have grandchildren who have been to year 12 and finished and we are really proud of them.
"And there are other young Aboriginal people who go on to finish their schooling and complete year 12."
Aunty Muriel said she encourages all students to finish year 12.
"More and more Aboriginal kids are doing it and its a great thing," she said.
"But we do need more education for the wider community and I think this campaign is a good tool to help drive that.
"People can click on the map on Wiradjuri country and listen to our stories.
"That is a great thing."
Yorta Yorta and Wurundjeri man and Deadly & Proud campaign director Tony Briggs said the new platform "gives all Victorians the opportunity to see why they can share in our pride as Aboriginal people".
"Stories told through this campaign, highlight the resilience of our people to survive and thrive in Victoria, the unique practices of our cultures and our strong connection to country and community," he said.
"All Victorians can and should be proud of what we have in Victoria. Our state's history is shared, as is our future."
Gunditjmara and Bundjalung man and musician Archie Roach said the campaign provides an opportunity for open and meaningful dialogue with the wider Victorian public.
"Country is sacred, and we want all Victorians to understand why. The rich history of this land is something everyone can be proud of, and a treaty is an integral step in that journey," he said.
"Treaty will allow us to sit down with non-Aboriginal Victorians and talk truth, about past wrongs and current struggles.
"For me, being deadly and proud means being the best I can be.
"To be proud of who I am, of where I've been and what I've gone through to get to this place. To be proud of my people, my country and treaty."
- visit deadlyandproud.vic.gov.au
