‘Swimming Yesterday’ is guided by the knowledge of Brad Steadman, a storyteller of Ngemba ancestry whose impact on language, art, cultural mentorship and community development is omnipresent throughout Brewarrina and the wider region.
Under the custodianship of the Ngemba Wayilwan people, and owned cooperatively with nearby language groups including the Baranbinja, Morowari, Kula, Naualko, Ualarai, Weilwan, Kamilaroi, Kamu and Paarkinlji people, the Brewarrina Fish Traps comprise a nearly half-kilometer long complex of dry stone walls and holding ponds within the Barwon River in northwestern New South Wales.
Since time immemorial, people periodically gathered in large numbers at the fish traps for not only subsistence but cultural and spiritual purposes.
The fish traps sit in today’s irrigation ravaged Barwon as a surviving piece of both the country’s ancient past and recent abuse.
The filmmakers would like to acknowledge the traditional ancestors of the lands on which this work was made. We pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging and thank them for allowing us to work and travel safely