Bernard Higgins - June 2023 Artist of the Month

Healing with High Tech
Bernard Higgins Creator and Animator

The Wiradyuri word ‘Birdyulang’ translates to mean ‘Scar, an old scar’.  Wiradyuri animator and artist Bernard Higgins chose to name his animation company and studio ‘Birdyulang Animations’ with the clear intention of using his creativity and skills in cutting edge animation technologies to work with Elders and Wiradyuri community to help heal scars caused by intergenerational trauma.

Bernard was born in Wagga Wagga and grew up in Leeton. He graduated from Charles Sturt University (CSU) with a Bachelor of Creative Arts and Design (Animation and Visual Effects), a Bachelor of Science (Honours) with a joint research project involving the Creative Industries and Science faculties, and a Graduate Certificate in Wiradyuri Language, Culture, and Heritage.

Bernard was able to demonstrate the power of animation when he was invited, whilst studying at Charles Sturt University, to work with Elders in Yarrabah – an Aboriginal community east of Cairns in Far North Queensland.  There had been outbreaks of the deadly Hendra virus - an infectious disease that can be transmitted by flying foxes to horses, and from horses to people. In a region where there are huge numbers of flying foxes and where the community itself kept many horses there was a very grave risk of human infections. 

“I met with the Elders, veterinary and health officers. They had good clear information, but we knew that printed material, like a pamphlet, was not going to reach everyone. It ends up on a bench, in a bag or in the bin,” said Bernard.

“When we started discussing the idea of an animation to communicate the seriousness of the Hendra virus it was very important to the community that it be of very high quality, not simplistic or childish.   I understood their concerns and worked together to change the perception that animation is only for kids.”

“I use 3D animation, Unreal Engine (a game engine) created by Epic Games and made freely available through profits from Fortnite. I work to create very high quality 3d animations, then work with community and elders for content – around language, or directed by them – animating paintings, recording poetry, knowledge and songs.”

“Once the Elders of Yarrabah and the rest of the group understood that we could use the same technologies to tackle serious issues in the community they embraced the idea and we were able to put together a short animation that clearly communicated the risks of the virus, and how to keep their people and their horses safe.” 

 “I started to talk to the kids about the process – and the fact that it comes from the creators of Fortnite- for the kids this added an extra layer to the message. It is gripping and it is a story, referencing their community, photography and material from their home. It engaged the whole community and the information about the virus was very well received and, most importantly, understood.”

For Bernard this was a major step toward his vision of using his high-level skills and creativity to assist aboriginal communities in addressing problems and issues at a community level. He realised that once the elders had worked with the technology and understood the possibilities for its use, the conversations and ideas started to flow; about new ways to preserve and teach language, knowledge of country, culture, traditional foods, and medicines. 

“A huge inspiration for me is my culture and my cultural identity within this. By using my skills, I hope to preserve and promote Wiradyuri culture and language as well as the wider Australian Aboriginal culture and language.” 

Bernard is a co-founder of Leeton’s Miil Miil Productions with Elijah Ingram. Along with Karen Davy of the Leeton and District Local Aboriginal Land Council (LDLALC) was responsible for targeting and applying for finance to produce the films from the Aboriginal Languages Trust. This resulted in a series of short Wiradyuri language animations, which were launched at a community picnic event at Gossamer Park, Wattle Hill in Leeton in the autumn. This event was a milestone achievement for the producers and the community. The project was also supported by Leeton Shire Council, Yanco Agricultural Institute, Western Riverina Arts and National Parks and Wildlife. 

CEO of the Leeton and District Local Aboriginal Land Council Karen Davy says, “Bernard is very professional and a man of high integrity. He remains very connected to the Leeton community. His collaboration with Miil Miil Productions for the Wiradyuri Language Film Showcase, at Wattle Hill, created not only a beautiful night for everyone there, but the first of its type in our community. We have been longing for this kind of event and it was very exciting to take part in. Bernard is using his skills to support the community and to remain deeply connected.” 

Bernard’s journey is set to continue, when he accompanies Elijah Ingram of Leeton and Uncle Hewitt Whyman of Wagga Wagga to Caux, Switzerland, as the invited guests of Initiatives of Change, Switzerland for the 2023 forum – ‘Healing the Wounds of the Past.’  The men will participate in training, plenaries, workshops and dialogues. The global forum aims to equip participants to contribute to peace and human security by fostering; a greater understanding of the impact of historical wounds, heightened skills in dialogue facilitation, conflict transformation, trauma awareness and story-sharing, and learning from personal experiences.  This forum will focus on the experiences of people from all continents and many cultures, including international first nations.

Bernard, Elijah and Uncle Hewitt will be sharing their experiences and learnings in using their creativity, technology skills and connections to community to boost the process of making Wiradyuri a conversational living language, and the role of technology in preserving and sharing story and culture. Their participation is a huge honour and responsibility, and reflects highly on the integrity of their work and commitment to community.  We wish Bernard, Elijah and Uncle Whyman safe passage and look forward to hearing their news on returning. 

Story Gemma Purcell, Sunday 2nd June 2023

Image: Bernard Higgins, courtesy Elijah Ingram.

www.birdyulang.com
www.bernardhiggins.com.au
https://miilmiilproductions.com/