Message Stick -  Yarning Up

The four Yarning Up stories that comprise this series of short films, recently screened at the United Nations in New York, speak of an intimate connection to country and culture; dreamtime legends, history and personal stories from the Tiwi Islands, Katherine and the east Arnhem Land island of Galiwinku.

Each one tells a 'grass roots' story from the respective communities of these locations, and gives a unique perspective on remote community culture, tradition and life.

One River, All Rivers - Director: Tom E Lewis

Arnhem Land lawman Roy Ashley Moyngumbi receives a message from the crow spirit to stop the destruction and drainage of the local river system. With time against him he creates a message stick and hangs it as a prayer on the tree in the hope it will be found.

One Tree, One Man - Director: Jedda Puruntatameri

There is only one remaining tamarind tree left standing in the centre of Pirlangimpi, on the Tiwi Islands. There is only one man left to tell its story. 90-year-old Justin, elder and master of ceremony, is the last living link this community has to its centuries-long history of trading goods, culture and even love with the seafaring Macassans from Indonesia.

Yothu Marnda - Director: Eilish Markuniny

In the 1960s six-year-old twin boys from Elcho Island were hunting with their family and got lost for three days and three nights.

Yolgnu Guya Djamamirr - Director: Frank Djirrimbilpilwuy

The 'Chooky Dancers' (Yolgnu from Elcho Island) performance of Zorba the Greek - Yolgnu Style, was uploaded to YouTube and it has become an overnight sensation. This is the story behind the dance.

Message Stick: Yarning Up will be repeated on ABC2 - Monday, August 11 at 5:00pm