Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices or names of deceased persons.
History, learning, love, resistance
Dujuan and his family are central to Children’s Ground in Central Australia, supporting him to have a culturally safe education that privileges First Language and culture. As a young Arrernte person, Dujuan is proud of the bloodline that runs through him; the First People who walked these lands.
But, Dujuan also knows the violence against his people following colonisation. He faces the struggle of so many First Nations children, who want to be seen, understood and live as Aboriginal children. Dujuan lives two truths: the power of identity, culture and family, yet also the impact of brutality, fear and exclusion. He is on the life trajectory towards profound risk, incarceration, welfare and early death that devastates so many First Nations children and families.
Dujuan and his family want this film to have an impact in improving the lives and wellbeing of all First Nations children. They want Australians to know that we love our children, and that Aboriginal people have solutions and want the agency to control our own lives.
Director Maya Newell says, “this film has been three years in the making and built on over a decade of my ongoing relationships with Arrernte families in Alice Springs. Uniquely, we made it in collaboration onscreen through workshops from the early messaging stage to watching assembly edits, all the way through to completion and film impact. In this sense, I honour my collaborating directors; Dujuan Hoosan, Carol Turner, Megan Hoosan, James Mawson, and Margaret Anderson. Our advisors William Tilmouth, MK Turner, Amelia Turner, Agnes Abbott and our Executive Producer & Traditional Owner of Mparntwe, Felicity Hayes. Everyone has worked hard on this film.”
I just want to be me, an Aborigine. Dujuan Hoosan, In My Blood It Runs
I just want to be me, an Aborigine.
Dujuan has worked with First Nations artist Blak Douglas and Pan MacMillan to create a picture book version of In My Blood It Runs, telling his story in his voice.
Get your copy from 31st October 2023 online or in bookstores!
In My Blood It Runs is not just a film, it’s also a campaign for change.
You can host a screening in your school, workplace or for family and friends and fundraise for Children’s Ground. As a host, you can license the film from In My Blood It Runs then set up a fundraising page with Children’s Ground to sell tickets and spread the word!
The funds you raise will support Children’s Ground to protect the identity and rights of children to access education in their own language and culture, as well as progress the campaign for First Nations-led education in Australia.
Any queries, reach out to campaigns@childrensground.org.au
In My Blood It Runs is available to watch on Vimeo on Demand or Netflix ANZ if you have a subscription. You are also able to order a DVD or purchase or rent from iTunes, find links on the In My Blood It Runs website.
Children’s Ground partnered with In My Blood It Runs to develop some discussion guides with “conversation starters” as starting points for reflection and discussion.
Everyone is always saying that we need to make our kids ready for school, but why can’t we make schools ready for our children? Dr MK Turner OAM
Everyone is always saying that we need to make our kids ready for school, but why can’t we make schools ready for our children?
