'Yana Nura', meaning ‘to walk on Country’, is a native garden and learning space located on the site of first Government House at the Museum of Sydney. As well as sharing First Peoples perspectives and stories, these learning experiences embody First Nations approaches to knowledge sharing.
Kate Spencer led the project team from Sydney Living Museums (now Museums of History NSW) and facilitated the collaboration with Sydney D’harawal Saltwater Knowledge Keeper and Educator Shannon Foster, Jo Kinniburgh of UTS, Stukel Architecture and lighting designers Di Emme.
A unique carpet design, based on an original artwork by Shannon, symbolises a campfire, inviting students to sit down, have a yarn and share stories. A beautiful sculptural light feature represents the continuity of Aboriginal culture and shows how lore stories, like Murrawang or the Great Emu in the Sky, are written in the stars to teach people the laws and rules about how to live on Country.
Photography by Declan May / James Horan Photography Pty Ltd for Museums of History NSW.
