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coming to relation

Developing A Methodology With Language & Ceremony As Foundations

Coming into relation isn’t just a method – it’s a way of seeing, of knowing, and of being. It’s a philosophy that runs through everything we do, shaping how we walk into a place, how we hold ourselves in that space, and how we leave it for those who come after us. This isn’t about entering a community with a camera or a checklist; it’s about coming with empty hands, open ears, and a willingness to learn.

To work this way means sitting in ceremony, not as an observer but as a participant. It means listening to the land and the people, learning the rhythms of their language, their protocols, their ways. It’s about stepping back from the usual transactional flow of “community work” that parachutes in, makes a splash, and leaves before the roots can take hold. This way misses the point. Communities are not problems to be solved – they’re networks of relations to be entered into with care.

In Indigenous knowledge systems, every step onto the land is an act of respect, every conversation a thread in a web of reciprocity and responsibility. The land, the people, the stories – they are not separate from you; they are part of the same system, the same dance. This understanding has shaped the framework we call Coming Into Relation, born from conversations with Dig, symbols drawn in the sand, and teachings gathered from Indigenous peoples around the world.

it is the way of Connection. Reflection. Collaboration. Action.

Dig once described connection as a network of pairs, each one linked to others in an intricate dance. He drew it in the sand by the fire, lines looping and crossing over, a web of relationships expanding outwards. “Connectedness protocols,” he called it. “Not just isolated pairs, but networks that link and move, forming a living, breathing system.”

This is the heart of our framework. It’s not a checklist or a linear process – it’s a way of being. It’s about understanding that every connection is part of a much larger whole, that every action ripples through a web that stretches across time and space. This isn’t just about the people in front of you – it’s about the land beneath you, the ancestors who came before, and the future generations who will walk this ground after we’re gone.

The Role of Language & Ceremony

Language and ceremony are the foundations of this work. Language isn’t just a tool for communication; it’s a key to the patterns of a place, the stories embedded in its hills and rivers. Ceremony isn’t just a ritual—it’s a way of coming into alignment with those patterns, of tuning yourself to the rhythms of a place and its people. These practices remind us that we are not separate, that our work must flow from the land, not impose itself upon it.

A Relational Approach

To come into relation means to listen first, to understand that the land and the people are your teachers. It means reflecting deeply before moving, co-creating solutions that are rooted in respect and reciprocity. It means being accountable—not just to the communities you engage with, but to the land itself, to the stories that have shaped it, and to the future that depends on it.

This framework is not static; it’s dynamic, evolving with each new place, each new relationship. It can be used by anyone willing to slow down, to listen, and to walk with intention. It’s a guide for those who seek to build genuine connections across cultures, to honor the wisdom of the old ways, and to co-create a world where all beings—human and non-human—can thrive together.

Walking Together

The old ones taught us that connection is not a single thread but a weave, a network of stories and relationships that hold us all together. Dig’s symbols in the sand remind us that every relationship we build, every story we share, adds to this weave. When we act with care, we create new patterns, new possibilities.

So, let us gather by the fire. Let us listen to the stories that came before us, and the ones still waiting to be told. Let us reflect, collaborate, and move with intention, knowing that every step we take is part of a much larger dance. Together, we can create a future where connection, respect, and reciprocity guide the way forward.

the way forward is back. this is how we come into relation. this is how we remember who we are. all one people. all one fire.

the foundations

Embracing Indigenous Knowledge Systems

Indigenous knowledge systems are not static; they are living, breathing entities that evolve with time, reflecting the ever-changing nature of the world. We understand that to truly come into relation with a community, we must first understand the land they inhabit and the stories they hold sacred. This means approaching every new community not with a predetermined plan, but with open minds, open hearts, and open spirits, ready to listen and learn.

This begins with understanding the language and ceremonies that are the keys to these knowledge systems. Language is not just a means of communication; it’s a vessel for carrying the traditions, values, and wisdom of a people. By learning the language and immersing ourselves in their cultural framework, we begin to see the world through their eyes. This process is our initiation—a step into a world where respect for the spirit of the land and the spirit of the people is paramount.

The Process

A Dynamic & Transformative Journey

Our approach to community engagement is dynamic, constantly evolving to meet the needs of the people we work with. We start by practicing Wanjau, a traditional method of collective sense-making. This process involves deep listening, storytelling, and consensus-building. Where we bring all our stories together around the fire, and find the truth in the aggregate. It’s not just about hearing what one person has to say, and that narrative coming out on top; it’s about truly understanding their perspectives and valuing their contributions. Wanjau ensures that every voice in the community is heard, and that the decisions we make are informed by the collective wisdom of the group. Everything happens together, everything happens in ngarra.

For us, every project begins with involving the local native people from the land. Their stories, their needs, and their relationship with the land shape what we do. We sit with elders, hear what they say their community needs, and create in partnership with the community, ensuring that their wisdom is honored and their stories are told in a way that is both respectful and powerful. Once we know that, we have that relation, we begin work with the students.

 

Inspiring the Next 7

Honoring Traditions While Creating Change

This is the core of the NGARRA project: we don’t simply hand over cameras—we open pathways for young people to reconnect with their culture, their land, and their voice. The tools we provide are not just instruments for capturing images; they are a means for these young storytellers to see their world in new ways and share their perspectives with a broader audience. Through these lenses, they document their lives, their land, and the strength embedded in their traditions. But the NGARRA project is about so much more than just photography.

At its heart, NGARRA is about coming into relation. It’s about inspiring these young people to see the intricate connections they are a part of—the relationships between their ancestors, their families, the land, and themselves. When we provide them with a camera, it’s not about technology; it’s about agency. It’s an invitation to see the beauty, resilience, and wisdom in their own culture and to share that with the world. The process of taking a photograph becomes a ceremony of reflection and expression—a way of engaging with their heritage and telling the stories that have been passed down through generations.

This act of storytelling is a powerful form of self-determination. It empowers these young artists to reclaim their narratives, to recognize the beauty in their everyday lives, and to see the strength in their traditions. It enables them to share their vision with others—people who may have never understood the depth of their culture or the richness of their environment. And it reminds them that their stories are just as valuable, just as important, as any others being told.

Working with the Youth

giving voice to the next generation, preserving culture, and inspiring a world to see the beauty in every story

But the impact doesn’t stop with the individual. The stories they tell ripple outward—to their families, to their communities, and to everyone who steps into a Ngarra exhibition and sees these images. The photographs serve as windows into the worlds of these young storytellers—raw, honest, and full of life. Each image is a moment of cultural expression, a piece of heritage brought to life, and a connection that links the past with the future.

This is why coming into relation is so important to the NGARRA project. It’s not just about teaching someone to use a camera; it’s about entering a deeper understanding of their place within the web of life. It’s about helping them realize that they are part of a lineage, a culture, a landscape that carries wisdom and stories worth sharing.

For their communities, it’s a moment of pride. These young artists become the keepers of tradition, the ones who tell the stories, who document their world and ensure that their culture is visible and valued in a world that often overlooks it. And for anyone who stands in front of these photographs—whether at a gallery, a community hall, or an international exhibition—it’s a reminder that these stories, these cultures, and these lands are vital, full of meaning and history.

In the end, NGARRA is about empowering communities to see themselves. It’s about showing them that their stories are worth telling, that their perspectives are invaluable, and that the strength of their culture has the power to inspire others. Through the art of photography, these young people come into relation not just with their own world, but with the wider world. And in doing so, they remind all of us of the beauty, strength, and power of Indigenous knowledge, culture, and story.

This is the legacy of NGARRA—one that transcends borders, languages, and generations. It’s a legacy that says, “We see you. We hear you. Your stories matter.”

ThANk yOU

together as one we can make a difference.

Quinkan

NGARRA’s Uganda Village project is a community-based initiative aimed at empowering youth in a remote village in Uganda through the transformative power of photography and storytelling.

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