Tool

Work has stalled, and through necessity comes invention - I've created innovative ways of looking busy in the workplace, even at close quarters. The key is having a question ready at all times.
'Ryan, is that terrorist porn you're...'
"Ah-ha!" I interject, "Just the person I wanted to see. I was wondering about blah blah blah..." (Blah Blah Blah is the name of a community just outside of Wasnt-reelee Doinmuch)

It's not that work has stalled - it is difficult to stop that which you have not started (thank you Isaac Newton). And like the invading armies in Iraq, I just don't seem to be able to make any progress. There are a few projects that we aim to complete here at the Health Board. However, I am just a tool within these projects.

I am the means by which other people accomplish objectives. Someone wants to get a film about smoking put together - I make their intentions a reality. Another wants to document their efforts and approaches to managing mental health in the community - I, like a big hairy camera, capture that and present it to an audience.

For each person's will, I am the way. A role I'm very comfortable with. But at the moment all the 'wills' are either absent or unready, and while I always thought I really liked not doing anything, I've discovered that I really can't stand not-having a project. Usually I would create my own project, but if there's one thing that Maningrida does not need is another Balanda with an agenda. If there were two things Maningrida didn't need, it'd be the Olsen twins.

The one thing that I've learnt about dealing with Aboriginal people is that most people don't get it. We're here to help! - it's the catch-cry of white workforce. Respect is the buzz-word. We claim to be an 'invisible' force that assists an Aboriginal community to operate efficiently in the way that it would feel most comfortable - being respectful of cultural sensibility. This is done by introducing/imposing a process or institution on the community, teaching them 'how it is run', then leaving them (eventually/hopefully) to run it themselves. Welcome to the West, you can do whatever you like here, as long as it's exactly what we say.

It's a cultural insensitivity that is at the very center of our sensibility. We live under a secular government that gives national public holidays for Christian celebrations. 'I know you're Jewish, but what do you mean you don't celebrate Christmas? How does Santa know which house to go to?' It seems we look at Aboriginals and never imagine that what they want might not be exactly what we want - fame, fortune, freedom, success, tax-exemption, a magic carpet and an 18 year old girlfriend. Or even better, an 18 year old carpet and a magic girlfriend. Imagine that, Poncho. Imagine that.

I exaggerate for the sake of summary. In truth, some institutions are actually listening and the people of Maningrida have some sock-pulling-up to do (necessarily, if reluctantly). The fact remains that every idea I have about the ways to communicate through film are biased towards a life's education in Melbourne. And what I'm learning here will be methods of communication effective exclusively in Maningrida - not Aboriginals collectively. And so I am a tool - a filter through which ideas pass and come out in DVD form. Which is good - most things I process come out in the form of shit.

Nonetheless I am creating my own project, in the hope that it can be hijacked by the people of Maningrida and put to work to whatever ends they dare deem. Trying to create an entity that is fleshed-out yet formless. A template that is waiting for someone to fill in the blanks. It's an exciting and challenging endeavor. I'm really enjoying the work, even if I hate the waiting.

It took a while for me to come to terms with the fact that my films would be valueless outside of the community walls - poorly put together, and largely in languages that not even I understand. Still there's a strange satisfaction in the knowledge that I am not the point or the purpose of my profession - in giving up ownership of my work. I just hope it can help to make a little impression on the object of its intent - the Olsen twins. It may take two to tango, but it takes three to build a human pyramid.