6 minute read
Wellness
Home
and heart
ACommunity and connections are at the core of this Hobart social enterprise, writes Elspeth Callender. half-moon rises principles. Plexiglass roof and walls permit over nipaluna/ natural light. The concrete holds warmth and
Hobart as I approach radiates it. There’s an edible garden courtyard. the giant luminescent shed. Smoke and Its multipurpose shed can be packed up and steam from a mobile kitchen ride the cold re-used elsewhere. night air. A small crowd of silhouetted During a Connect 2 Create workshop earlier figures surround firepits. I fall easily into in the week, Yorta Yorta woman Ruth Langford conversation over chai and warm biscuits tells me the transparency of the LongHouse before we head inside. Friday Feels is one represents relationships with others. “We are of many events held in a space created living in a world where there’s a desperate need specifically to elevate wellbeing. for a new way of being to emerge to help heal
The LongHouse stands on the homelands this epidemic of loneliness and disconnection.” of the Muwinina – the original wellness Nayri Niara’s founder, creative director and practitioners of lutruwita/Tasmania. Its floor wellbeing team member is a songwoman and is the insulated concrete slab of a former cold Indigenous medicines therapist whose creative store at the intersection of Davey and Evans practice is art installation. Ruth tends to use
Street at Macquarie Point. the word wellbeing. “How we are ‘being’? Do
The space was designed by architectural we feel passionate about life? Do we feel that studio Core Collective in collaboration with we have a sense of purpose? And, ultimately,
First Nations social enterprise Nayri Niara do we feel that we belong to ourselves and are (NY-ree nee-AR-a) and applies sustainable we connected to those around us?”
While Nayri Niara is open to everyone, it focuses on First Nations people’s knowledge in its exploration of “experiences that unite ancient traditions with modern conscious practices”. Healing space Tin Camp Studios, built by Yuwaalaraay and Yorta Yorta man Warren Mason, is a permanent fixture in the LongHouse. The awning-top bird sculpture is by palawa artist Dean Greeno.
“It’s a space for people to tell stories – a safe space,” explains Warren, after playing guitar there during Connect 2 Create with spokenword poet, Young Dawkins. Live music wasn’t scheduled; this cultural communal hub just naturally draws in community. The environment is always family-friendly. “It’s interesting we called it the LongHouse,” says Ruth. “It is like a home.”
Collaboration is fundamental to Nayri Niara. Arts and culture collective Blackspace Creative had a pop-up at the LongHouse before opening its pataway/Burnie shopfront in May. Home Hearth Market hosts a range of 45-minute taster workshops for $10 each. The market was paused for winter but, from 12 September, will run every second Sunday.
Nayri Niara has programs supporting parents whose children have been removed and young people who benefit from mental health support. They offer internships, residencies, exhibition opportunities and co-created events. They accept donations and sponsorship for specific initiatives or the “overall creating of good spirit”.
Most events, like this evening’s Friday Feels, involve “medicinal nutritional cuisine”. Nayri Niara favours seasonal local produce and partners with collectives including the Migrant Resource Centre, Future Feeders and Wild Grove Farm and Kitchen.
The moon is high when we leave the LongHouse after dancing, Yin yoga, live music and a two-course meal. The intensely enjoyable evening has satiated me in ways wellness experiences never have before. “I’m not into fluff,” as Ruth says. “Give me heart, depth and meaning or give me death.”
THIS PAGE (Left to right) LongHouse’s gardens, Ruth talks at an event with local knowledge keeper Sean Mansell.
Visit the LongHouse at 6 Evans Street, Macquarie Point, Hobart. For more, see nayriniaragoodspirit.com
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