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Ngumpie Weaving Term 2 & 4

22 - 24 May and 18-20 October 2023

In the Centre for Creativity | Schools

First Nations Workshop | Stages 2 - 5

Weave with Ngumpie Weaving artist Tegan Murdock to learn about traditional Aboriginal practices of purposeful and sustainable making.

Teacher’s Resource Pack

Our resources are packed with practical, creative activities that will add to your students’ experience. 

Available from April 2023

Curriculum Links

Exploring First Nations identity and cultural practices, connection to nature and the land, and First Nations understanding of agricultural and sustainable weaving and tool-making practices in English, Aboriginal Studies, Visual Arts, Design and Technology and STEM.

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Resources for teachers

The Opera House’s Teacher Resources provide inspirational activities to watch, listen and read for students in the classroom or learning at home. 

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A workshop with weaving, story and culture

Weaving is a traditional practice of purposeful and sustainable making. Aboriginal people use natural materials such as long grasses, gumnuts, flowers and leaves to weave baskets for gathering food and other materials, as coolamons to carry babies or place ochres in for painting in ceremony, as well as for decorative reasons for performance, corroboree and to express their identity.

Students will learn the importance of weaving and how Aboriginal people have used this craft to weave important things for our people to source food and provide for family. Students will also learn about different techniques and how all mobs across Australia use similar ways of weaving.

Presented by Sydney Opera House

Meet the artist

Tegan Murdock, Barkindtji, Maraura, Yorta Yorta, Duduroa woman

"My beautiful Mum Margaret taught me to weave several years ago. I started weaving earrings and then kept creating new pieces as the inspiration came to me. I now create jewellery and wall pieces as well as teach others to weave in face to face and online workshops, school visits and corporate staff development days. 

I want my weaving circles to help break down barriers between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. I hope I can help educate and contribute to a more peaceful world where our children can all walk as one, hand in hand, no matter their skin colour or cultural identity.

Ngumpie in Barkindtji means ‘Beautiful’ – this is what my Nanna Shirl used to call me when I was younger. I wanted to keep this shining through my work."

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