Army studies Indigenous weapon making

Army personnel went back in history to learn the art of Indigenous weapon making during Exercise Greenskin in Canberra last month.

The four-day activity connected soldiers from across the ACT with Indigenous history, culture and Ngunnawal traditions.

This included finding correct trees to make craft clubs, spears, axes and coolamons, taking part in cultural tours and attending an Indigenous military history tour at the Australian War Memorial.

The activity was delivered in partnership with Ngunnawal Elders and community members, who shared local cultural knowledge, history and traditions.

Officer in charge Major Sam White said Exercise Greenskin was designed to introduce Indigenous military history and cultural learning to Army through practical activities and community engagement.

Better understanding the Aboriginal history

“What we’re trying to do here is, in a culturally cleared way, help soldiers better understand the Aboriginal history of their unit,” Major White said.

He said the exercise aimed to show there had been a warfighting culture in Australia for 60,000 years.

It focused on senior enlisted leaders, including sergeants major and sergeants – those considered units’ custodians of culture.

“I have a strong link to culture being Indigenous myself, but seeing non-Indigenous Australians and service members learn how to do this sort of stuff is the highlight.”

Major White said soldiers and officers may eventually be authorised to carry culturally cleared Indigenous weapons for ceremonial purposes.

He said the weapons would be recognised through qualifications and reflected the traditions and history of the areas Army units operated in.

“When you walk into every CO’s [commanding officer] office, there should be something like this from the area,” Major White said.

Participants also explored the history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander military service and challenges Indigenous Australians faced while serving in the Army.

Strong link to culture

Participant Sergeant Scott Trenham, a Palawa man from Tasmania, said one standout was seeing non-Indigenous soldiers learn more.

“I have a strong link to culture being Indigenous myself, but seeing non-Indigenous Australians and service members learn how to do this sort of stuff is the highlight,” he said.

Exercise Greenskin was the fourth activity of its kind, which have involved about 60 personnel in activities held around Australia, including Arnhem Land and the Torres Strait.

“We’re grateful for the Ngunnawal people’s custodianship and for teaching us what it is to be a soldier,” Major White said.