The Way of the Turtle is a collaboration between artist Tracey Benson and the Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation (YYNAC).

There are a range of outputs intended for this project, they include:
1. The development of a Yorta Yorta language book for children incorporating the use of augmented reality technology
2. The development of an augmented reality walk around Barmah National Park, which builds on the existing GPS/Bluetooth project.
3. Providing workshops for young people in the Yorta Yorta community in digital imaging, bookmaking, video and creating augmented reality works with the Aurasma tool
4. The creation of an interactive map/screen at the Dharnya Centre which would be enhanced by augmented reality
5. To reinvigorate the Dharnya Centre through the above activities.

This project explores the creative possibilities of building an interactive environment at the Dharnya Centre at Barmah National Park in partnership with YYNAC. The artwork would exist on a number of levels, as an emerging media installation, an educational tool and as a facility to promote eco-tourism.

The Dharnya Centre opened in 1985, though it has not been operational since 2007. It is considered by the Yorta Yorta people as the "University of the Bush" and this project is seen as a step towards reinvigorating the centre and reopening it to the public and the community.

For a background on the significance of the Dharnya Centre and why it is important for Yorta Yorta people to see their university of the bush reopened to the community and the public, check out this video:

Way of the Turtle from bytetime on Vimeo.

"The Way of the Turtle" is a collaborative project which would see the artist, Tracey Benson, working on-site for 16 weeks with the cultural owners, especially cultural research manager Lee Joachim to reinvigorate the Dharnya Centre as a key site for sharing Yorta Yorta culture and education.

The project would utilise a range of media including augmented reality (AR), video and photography to critically engage with scientific research that YYNAC has done with a range of collaborating organisations like Parks Victoria and Monash University.
 

Tracey states that "It is a great privilege to be working with the Yorta Yorta community to assist them to revitalise the Dharnya Centre. I also see this project as interconnecting the interest that my augmented reality work is generating with the Yorta Yorta sci/culture work which is building great momentum internationally." 

The Way of the Turtle project is supported by key scientific researchers Professor Dave Griggs, Deirdre Wilcox and Professor Ross Thompson, who have long standing research relationships with YYNAC.

"Seeing with two eyes",  from the YYNAC website: 

"Indigenous ways of knowing can facilitate improved decisions that address complex environmental problems. The process of integrating diverse forms of knowledge leads to enhanced skills and aspirations for native peoples and improved outcomes for all."

This video highlights this approach to knowledge:

Project outputs

Breakdown:
Materials $7000
Promotion $2100
Documentation $1900
Video editing and AR compositing $3000

Funding is also being sought from the Creative Partnerships Program to cover other expense like fees, travel and administration costs.

This project has a number of risks or challenges. One challenge is the emerging nature of the technology that will be used to create the interactive exhibition. Our strategy for managing this obstacle, is to ensure we do a lot of promotion which informs the audience of how the technology works and how easy it is to use. The other key challenge is without funding the project will take a very long time to be realised. Our strategy here is to extend the project time line, but this is not ideal.