The field school engages with a variety of community teachers, doctoral students and independent researchers to share their knowledge with field school participants. We will update this page year-to-year to reflect the teachers who will be involved during that season.

Professor Claire Smith

Claire has been a member of staff at Flinders University since 1998.  Her primary research interests are in Australian archaeology, especially rock art. While she has conducted field research with Aboriginal communities in Australia, Asia and North America, she mostly works with Aboriginal people from the Barunga region of the Northern Territory, and with Ngadjuri people from South Australia. As President of the World Archaeological Congress, she has knowledge of contemporary issues in archaeology (particularly Indigenous archaeology) in many parts of the world.

Gary Jackson

Gary Jackson is a graduate of the Department of Anthropology at Adelaide University.  He has a special interest in the intersection of the discipline of anthropology with the discipline of archaeology.  He has worked with the Indigenous people of south-east Arnhem Land for over twenty years, as well as with indigenous groups in South Australia.

Community Teachers

Esther Bullumbara

Esther is gidjan (Traditional Owner) of the Barunga region. The Flinders staff have worked closely with her and her family for many years, including past field schools. Esther is an active member of the community and involved in a number of community-based projects.

 

 

Nell Brown

Nell is junggayi (Custodian) of the Barunga region. She and her family have also worked closely with the Flinders staff for many years, including past field schools. Nell is an active member of community, and is involved in helping teaching children about their culture and the Jawoyn language at the local school.

 

 

Rachael Kendino

Rachael and her family have worked closely with Claire and Gary for over 20 years. She is a community elder and leader. Rachael was the first Jawoyn person to attend university and has inspired her family, and other members of the community, to pursue a university education. She has taught in past field schools, teaching students about culture and traditions.

 

 

Jocelyn McCartney

Jocelyn has lived in Barunga with her family since she was a little girl. She is an elder for the community. She is involved in the Banatjarl Womens Group and also helps teach children about their culture and the Jawoyn language at the local school. Her damper (bush bread) is the best.

 

 

Jasmine Willika

Jasmine Willika is a young Jawoyn woman from Barunga community. She is currently undertaking the final year of her Bachelor of Arts (majoring in Archaeology). In previous years, she has helped and taught students of the social complexities of Jawoyn society. She would like to take what she learns from her degree back to her community to promote and protect the valuable cultural heritage of the region.

 

Isaac Pamkal

Isaac is a young Jawoyn man from Barunga community. He is currently enrolled in the foundation course at Flinders University so that he can pursue a university degree in the future. Isaac has been involved in previous field schools and would like to continue working with participants.

 

 

Troy Friday

Troy has been involved in previous field schools, accompanying participants to sites and teaching them about culture. He lives in Barunga with his wife and children.

 

 

 

Seasonal staff

Jordan Ralph

Jordan is a PhD candidate in archaeology in the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. His research is about government interventions and how they have affected concepts of identity in Barunga Community. Jordan has been working as an archaeologist with people from Jawoyn communities near Katherine since 2010 and has conducted annual fieldwork in the region since that time. Outside of academia, Jordan has worked as a heritage consultant in parts of South Australia, Queensland and Western Australia.

Antoinette Hennessy

Antoinette holds a Bachelor of Archaeology and a Master of Cultural Heritage Management degree from Flinders University. She has been involved in research with the Barunga Community since 2011, which has been a strong influence in her interest in engaged archaeology, ethnographic research and ‘best practice’ approaches to heritage consulting. Antoinette also works closely with Aboriginal groups of South Australia in her capacity as a heritage consultant.