Najingawula kuriwu - Together We Rise

A digital exhibition to celebrate Sir Doug Nicholls Round

80km north of Darwin, the Tiwi Islands are home to one of Australia's oldest and most vibrant cultures: the Tiwi. For over 40,000 years, the Tiwi have lived, laughed and loved on this land, and in November of 2019, a group of emerging Saints was invited to visit their home.

For the Long family, the Tiwi Islands hold a different kind of significance. When Ben's grandfather and grandmother were stolen as children and taken away from their ancestral lands, it was two Tiwi families who adopted them. The Saints' annual pilgrimage is met with the same spirit, as the Tiwi open their doors and hearts to our club.

For the young contingent of Saints, it's a chance to gain a greater understanding of their own club's rich and storied Indigenous history. More than that, it teaches our developing footballers about the significance this living culture has not just to our country, but to our game itself.

This is the story of Tiwi, as captured by the lens of St Kilda's Corey Scicluna.

Special edition Najingawula kuriwu - Together We Rise prints are available now from Saints Locker.

Proceeds from all purchases of wall prints or postcards will go directly to Tiwi College and Point + Be Proud.

Printing of the Exhibition will be supplied by Saints fan Darren Seccull from Australian Supplies & Printing ASAP.

The Dream

Footy seems like it's not just a way of life but life itself.

The Tiwi grow up with a footy in their hands. Here, a young girl executes a textbook snap, barefoot.

We soon learn it's not uncommon to see 10-year-olds hitting 30m drop punts on either foot.

Homecoming

 A moment of respite from the sweltering sun.

On his grandfather's side, Ben Long's ancestral lands lie over 1,300kms away in Ti-Tree, near central Australia, while his grandmother's original home is on the Daly River, 200kms south of Darwin.

The significance of the local Tiwi families' adoption of his grandparents is not lost on Long, who recognises not only his ancestral totems (Eagle and Emu), but his adopted ancestral Tiwi totems as well (Shark and Buffalo).

Hunting

 Hunting is part of daily life for the Tiwi.

These kids are natural-born hunters, and it doesn't take long for the joyous yelp of a local boy to signal success.

The midday spearfishing session on the beach is, of course, accompanied by a footy.

Friendship

A local boy is carried along the beach by young gun Ben Paton.

The Tiwi have a unique way of breaking down barriers, and it becomes obvious why their home is nicknamed 'The Islands of Smiles'.

Pure, unbridled energy follows us all day.

Logan

This is Logan.

To him, footy's a game best enjoyed barefoot. Logan's 14 years old, a proud local boy with a dream of watching his beloved Saints.

So when his hero Jade Gresham stepped off the bus at Tiwi College, the young kid in the No. 4 Saints jumper couldn't believe it.

Tradition

Logan and his mates are eager to show us visitors how it's done Tiwi-style.

Without skipping a beat, the boys pattern themselves in traditional body paint and turn it on in the shallow water.

R&R

The heat is blistering, the humidity unrelenting. The afternoon sun is only getting hotter, so we head to the river.

For us visitors, it's a case of sucking it up, staying hydrated and finding shade where we can.

For the Tiwi, it's much more simple.

Riverside

 A local boy takes a moment to himself.

This is his country. He knows the land, the trees, the river like they're a part of him.

Like many Tiwi phenomena, you don't have to look far to see the pure spiritual connection of people to island.

Bloodlines

To the children of the Tiwi, AFL players are close to gods, and should be treated as such.

The kids hang on Gresh's every word, hoping to absorb some knowledge or wisdom.

This is a conversation they won't soon forget.

The Tiwi

Barefoot, lightning quick and with skills that beggar belief, the silkiest game of under-14s footy I've ever seen plays out in front of me.

A basketball hoop for goals and accuracy that shouldn't be possible at that age, these kids have got something special.

Purchase your favourite pieces here to help make a difference for Indigenous Australians.

All proceeds will go directly to Tiwi College and the new Nicky Winmar documentary, Point + Be Proud.

All images available in both A2 wall print and postcard size.