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 knows the blood line that runs through him. The First People who walked these lands and of the violence against his people following colonization. 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 as his positive life force. His other truth is the impact of the post colonial history of brutality, fear and exclusion that sets his life trajectory towards profound risk and onto a well worn treadmill towards incarceration and welfare and early death that devastates so many 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. Their key messages are:
I just want to be me, an Aborigine. Dujuan Hoosan, In My Blood It Runs
I just want to be me, an Aborigine.
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 with all onscreen through workshops from 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, Margaret Anderson. Our advisors William Tilmouth, Margaret Kemarre Turner, Amelia Turner, Agnes Abbott and our Executive Producer & Traditional Owner of Mparntwe, Felicity Hayes. Everyone has worked hard on this film.
This film was made possible by the generosity of a large number of people and some key organisational partners. In particular AKEYULERRE HEALING CENTRE & Children’s Ground in Alice Springs as well as Good Pitch Australia & Shark Island Institute.
Special thanks to Jane Vadiveloo, the founding CEO of Children’s Ground who was also instrumental in the establishment of Akeyulerre has been a personal mentor and guide in my journey on this film & with the roll out.
And of course our incredible film team; Sophie Hyde & Closer Productions. I would like to recognise Larissa Behrendt and Rachel Edwardson, First Nations film Directors, who provided extensive support to me and the team – especially in providing critical guidance and understanding of the political and cultural context of the film.
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? 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?
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 help Children’s Ground protecting 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.
