Bob Randall
Bob Randall is a Yankunytjatjara Elder and a traditional owner of Uluru (Ayers Rock). Bob is one of the Stolen Generation of the Aboriginal people, taken from his family at the age of seven. Throughout his life, Bob has worked as a teacher and leader for Aboriginal land rights, education, community development and cultural awareness. In the early ‘70s, Bob's song "Brown Skin Baby (They Took Me Away)" became an anthem for the Aboriginal people. He is the author of two books: his autobiography Songman and a children's book, Tracker Tjginji. He is also the subject of the recent documentary film, Kanyini.Videos featuring Bob Randall
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The Land Owns Us
Bob Randall, a Yankunytjatjara elder and traditional owner of Uluru (Ayer's Rock), explains how the connectedness of every living thing to every other living thing is not just an idea but a way of living. This way includes all beings as part of a vast family and calls us to be responsible for this family and care for the land with unconditional love and responsibility.
(6 min 13 sec) -
What Would It Look Like?
What if the world embodied our highest potential? What would it look like? As the structures of modern society crumble, is it enough to respond with the same tired solutions?
Or are we being called to question a set of unexamined assumptions that form the very basis of our civilization?
This 25-minute retrospective asks us to reflect on the state of the world and ourselves, and to listen more closely to what is being asked of us at this time of unprecedented global transformation.
(24 min 54 sec) -
Oursness
Bob Randall, a Yankunytjatjara elder and traditional owner of Uluru (Ayer's Rock), explains the Aboriginal understanding of land ownership as one of shared responsibility and kinship with the environment. Sharing memories from his childhood in the bush (before being forcibly removed by Australian police), Bob describes the profound joy that comes from living in connection with all of life.
(5 min 36 sec) -
We Are Caretakers
Bob Randall, Yankunytjatjara elder and traditional owner of Uluru (Ayer's Rock), explains the real law of survival is caring for the land and each other-for our children's children's children.
(2 min 6 sec) -
Song: "Where We Come From"
Bob Randall, a Yankunytjatjara elder and traditional owner of Uluru (Ayer's Rock), sings a song about where we come from.
(4 min 17 sec) -
Song: "Brown Skin Baby (They Took Me Away)"
Bob Randall, a Yankunytjatjara elder and traditional owner of Uluru (Ayer's Rock), sings a heartfelt song about the experiences of the "stolen generation" of Aboriginal children. In the early '70s, Bob's song became an anthem for the Aboriginal people.
(5 min 28 sec)
"You kind of feel that you're living with family when you include everything that is alive… And then you grow up, knowing that these are all your family. You can never feel lonely in that situation. How can you, when all around you is family members…"
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