My Grandmother's sacred site

by Mari
(NYC, USA)

My grandmother was one of the stolen generation. It was a very important event in her life when she was able to climb Uluru. I was brought up, that it was a rite of passage, to be taken with respect and in meditation.

My grandmother was not of the local tribe, but she connected with her heritage by traveling around Australia visiting sacred sights and participating in the celebration of each. She believed that the rituals of a sacred place changes with time, and the white fella tradition of climbing everything should be considered, at least in a way of keeping the old.

She believed that Uluru was the perfect place that blended the traditions of both cultures. She did however feel that both cultures should visit with spirituality and respect in mind, and that preparation should be taken, in mind, spirit and body. To be hasty, ignorant or to spill blood on a sacred site is disrespectful.

Being only 16th Aboriginal, I haven't been able to be part of any traditional tribe, and my grandmother is no longer here; I have no photos of her, so I remember what was sacred to her by visiting these landmarks. I plan on climbing the rock with my son on his 14th birthday, as part of teaching him about his great grandmother.