From the early 1980’s onwards – Bringing Back Old Warrior Way
We start at the beginning with this sub-page dedicated to a video Karno made with friends and family in 2006 where we first have an official record of what “Bringing Back Old Warrior Way” meant to Karno. This video is of him training his nephew followed by another clip of him addressing a group of tourists visiting his Kangaroo Island property. Both the clips in this video. This article also serves as the introduction to Honouring Warrior Spirits and how Uncle Karno’s Old Warrior Way and Ramindjeri Dreaming helped form the backbone of the Honouring Warrior Spirit Ceremony.
The 10th of November 2013 – Torrens Parade Ground Statue Unveiling
This section is about the day Uncle Karno and Uncle Colin first met and the unique and strong friendship and collaboration with the military that arose from that meeting.
This was no ordinary day, it was a very special day for both of them because the Statue, or should I say Statues, because there was actually two of them. These statues were of an Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Serviceman and Servicewoman. After nearly a century the Aboriginal & Torres Strait island people who were currently serving and who had in the past, served and fought for Australia in both the World Wars, the Boer War, Korean War, Vietnam War and the Iraq war.
While the subject of the Statue Unveiling would have been enough in itself to pique Karno’s interest in this ceremony, there was another more important reason why he was there, and that reason was contained in the speech the Governor General of Australia would speak at that ceremony.
To find out what that was click on the button below.
The 1st of August 2014 – The Victor Harbor Military Ceremony
The strengthening of Official ties between Uncle Karno and the Australian Military.
In 2014 a special military ceremony was held at the last known camping grounds of the Ramindjeri Tribe.
This ceremony was an important milestone, for Uncle Karno, his friend Uncle Col, who was serving at the time, and the Australian Military itself. This ceremony included an exchange of gifts between Uncle Karno and the Military and members of the Military being initiated into Ramindjeri Culture.
Click the button below to find out more.
2015 – The Honouring Warrior Spirit Ceremonies
Bringing Warrior Spirit back home
In early 2015 Sgt John Angel-Hands proposed an idea to the Australian Army for a healing ceremony to bring back the spirits of indigenous soldiers who fell at Gallipoli as part of the Centenary of the August Offensive Ceremonies to be held at Gallipoli on the 6th of August 2015.
These Ceremonies and the previously mentioned Victor Harbor Ceremony were the two most important military ceremonies Uncle Karno was involved with.
Click the button below to find out more.
3rd of November 2017 – Presentation of Ramindjeri Dreaming Artwork
DATSIN (Defence Aboriginal & Torres Straits Islander Network) Conference sponsored by Defence Directorate of Indigenous Affairs, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory Australia.
Earlier in 2017 Uncle Col Watego requested that the Defence Directorate of Indigenous Affairs extend an invitation to Uncle Karno’s wife Aunty Christine Walker (and now Chairperson of the Wirritjin Peggera:lin Committee) and Karno’s biological Aunt, Aunty Unbulara (Who Karno, before he had passed, asked to succeed him as the Leader of the Ramindjeri Peoples) attend the DATSIN Conference in Canberra. Uncle Col with the co-operation of the Defence Directorate of Indigenous Affairs wished to officially present to them each a framed copy of the Artwork depicting the Ramindjeri Dreaming Story (Mum..Mo..Wee..Nun..Karee..Wallin..Me..We) burnt into and painted onto the Balugahn Bunaw Yidaki (Great Warrior Spirit, Blood-wood, Didgeridoo) used in Ceremony by Australian Defence Force (ARMY) Indigenous Soldiers, during the Honouring Warrior Spirit Ceremonies.
This page contains pictures of the framed artwork (painted by Indigenous Veteran Uncle Darren Moffitt, Eora Man) that was presented to Aunty Unbulura and Aunty Christine Walker on that day. This framed artwork also contains the “Story” of the Ramindjeri Dreaming.
Please click on the link below to find out more.
2018 – Black Anzac Documentary
By Artist Hego – Featuring Uncle Karno & Uncle Peter’s Ancestor Private Alfred Cameron Junior
Redfern resident and Street Artist, Hego, came up with an idea for street art project based on, and focused around, the “Coloured Diggers March” which is held by the (AB)Original community every year on ANZAC day. During his research Hego found a photo that would be perfect for his street art project, this photo was of Uncle Peter Mansfield and Uncle Karno Walkers mutual ancestor, World War One Digger, Private Alfred Cameron Junior.
With the help of his friend, Tim Anasti, Director and Film maker they recorded the journey of this project in a Documentary called “Black Anzac” which is now available to watch online at Australian TV channel, SBS ONDEMAND website.
To read more about this project click on the link below.
ANZAC Day 2021 – The Meningie Anzac Memorial – Inspired by Hego’s “Black ANZAC” – Founded by Uncle Peter & Aunty Meryl Mansfield
During the filming of the Black ANZAC Documentary, artist Hego also put up some street art on some historically important buildings in Private Walkers hometown of Meningie, these street murals depicted other (AB)Original ANZAC’s who had served. The nature and style of Hego’s work is deliberately not permanent and is an important part of the message of his artwork.
For years after Hego’s artwork was put up, a special ANZAC memorial was held every year to honour the (AB)Original ANZAC’s that served at the site of these murals.
In the years that followed Hego’s artwork gradually started to disappear, which was concerning to Uncle Peter, Aunty Meryl and the rest of the townspeople of Meningie who wished for those ANZAC services to continue. Uncle Peter and Aunty Meryl, with the help of the local RSL, and the township, created a more permanent mural depicting (AB)Original ANZAC”s and special brick pavers with the name, rank, etc of those depicted on the mural.
More information about this project can be found by clicking on the button below.