To celebrate NAIDOC (National Aboriginal and Islanders Day Observance Committee) Week 2018, your go-to retailer Cotton On has collaborated with artist Ganybu for one of their totes. It’s pretty neat stuff.
This year’s NAIDOC Week theme is “Because of her, we can” and Ganybu’s artwork for the bag reflects that, with the design belonging to her maternal grandmother’s clan, Rirratinju.
“This design is based on my print, Yathiny. Yathiny is a type of jellyfish. When turtles start to return to the beaches to lay their eggs, yathiny is the food that they feed on at this time. My print shows small and big Yathiny together that wash up on the shores of North East Arnhem Land during Rarranhdharr (dry season),” she said.
Now as you’re (hopefully) aware by now, 100% of proceeds made from Cotton On Group‘s totes (and water bottles, mints, tissues, wipes, bracelets and more, mind you) go straight to their philanthropic arm Cotton On Foundation‘s efforts to empower youth through quality education.
What you mightn’t know, however, is that the NGO does work here locally in Australia, which is why this collaboration with Ganybu, from the remote community of Yirrkala in the NT‘s North East Arnhem Land, makes so much sense.
The bag’s $15 and available exclusively online HERE, for the month of July or until sold out, with all profits going back to the Foundation’s Australian programs. To give you a little bit more info on that, Cotton On Foundation has been supporting communities in North East Arnhem Land since 2013, working with theYolŋu people to deliver development projects supporting indigenous youth.
This incl. the expansion of the Buku Larrnggay Mulka Arts Centre, which COF’s Projects Operations Manager, Sarah Spiker, explains delivers a variety of workshops for youth each term.
“Our support and focus on these programs allows Mulka to connect with young people through modern and exciting activities. These programs are designed to encourage confidence, self-expression and celebrate cultural identity, while keeping them engaged in school and helping them develop new skills,” she said.
“From music and art, to gaming and film and photography, we are seeing phenomenal talent coming out of this region, and our collaboration with Ganybu is the perfect example.”
Find out more HERE.
This writer has travelled to Uganda as a guest of Cotton On Foundation.
