Kanyini

An Aboriginal Australian Shares His Story and Wisdom

A Pitjantjatjara word meaning interconnectedness; caring, support, nurturing, and responsibility, "Kanyini" is a feature documentary which explores the philosophy and the life of Bob Randall, an Aboriginal man who lived in Mutitjulu, a town beside the world's greatest monolith, Uluru, in Central Australia. Bob Randall is a 'Tjilpi' (old fella) of the Yankunytjatjara people and a member of the Stolen Generations.

In"Kanyini" Randall shares his knowledge of Anangu wisdom and stories of his personal journey. He also explores some of the reasons behind the struggles of Aboriginal Australians in modern day Australia. Randall explains that when European Australians came to Australia, they broke the four Kanyini Principles that were an integral part of Anangu life. Tjukurrpa was broken when Europeans imposed their law on the Anangu. Ngura was broken when Aboriginal people were forced to move away from their homelands. Walytja was broken when the children of Randall's generation were removed from their family as part of the Stolen Generations and Kurunpa was broken when Aboriginal spirituality was replaced with Christianity.

In explaining the loss of his Kurunpa, Randall notes the disconnect between the teachings of the Bible and the actions of the white men who professed them.

A necessary and beautiful film, "Kanyini" looks at the world's oldest living culture in a way that's never been seen before.