016 Language Revitalisation + Barri Dhimbuyn with Gemma Lloyd - a podcast by Clare Foale

Gemma Lloyd is a proud Dunghutti woman originally from New South Wales, Australia.

Gemma is a yoga teacher, honouring the lineage of Sadhana Yoga and studied in Indonesia in 2015.

She incorporates her knowledge of Barri Dhimbuyn earth spirit and the ancient wisdom of yoga and Ayurvedic to offer a unique perspective of yoga practice here in Australia.

Her business also creates and supplies beautiful affirmation cards and yoga products.

She was the Ayers Rock Resort Yoga teacher from 2015-2018, and currently offers private digital classes.

She currently resides in Brisbane and is the co-owner, operator of Dhunuwi Wa Durrgan.

This business creates opportunities for all people to find wellness in mind, body, and spirit, and believes that people equipped with the right tools can achieve their greatest potential. They aim to be a global leader in self-development and hope to raise awareness of sustainability and ethical practice.

'When an Aboriginal person has the opportunity to find that connection, whether that is language, whether it's walking on country, whether it's learning how to paint or sitting with an elder and hearing story, that revitalization of culture can happen in many, many ways.

I hope that through providing these cards to people that they too can feel like they have that connection and they could possibly learn something else than what they just see in the media.'

What we talked about:

- Clare discovered Gemma and her business after becoming uncomfortable with using oracle cards featuring Cultural appropriation
- Clare reached out to Gemma to ask if it was okay for her, as a white woman, to use the cards Gemma creates. Gemma replied, 'We would absolutely love for you to incorporate these into your practice.'
- Language revitalisation as a source of empowerment
- Gemma grew up in Wollongong and was involved in several Aboriginal corporations and belonged to a dancing group
- She felt a connection to her ancestry through her family, but felt something was missing.
- She went to Ayers Rock Resort to work
- She worked closely with Aunties there who spoke the Pitjantjara, which they taught her
- This was her connection to story telling, to language, to culture, to history that she had been longing for
- She was incredibly excited to discover children's books and a dictionary in her Dunghutti language. She did not know that any such resources existed.
- Learning the language is a personal journey for Gemma. This is what lead her to create the affirmation cards
- Gemma grew up on a farm, in nature, and saw the world as a living being. Not as 'something'.
- Mother Earth spoke to her and nurtured her
- The significance of dreaming in Aboriginal culture.
- Dhunuwi Wa Durrgan means 'sun and moon'
- The three pillars of Gemma's business are sustainability, development and wellness.
- The Barri Dhimbuyn are printed on recycled paper and shipped in compostable bags
- Every time you just walk with no shoes on, on country, you're meditating
- Every Aboriginal person is writing their Songlines
- How to show respect for the nation's first people


'I think wellness is using the tool, the opportunities you have right there at your feet or your fingertips and implementing them into your life, however that suits you. wellness is whatever my body, mind and spirit feels like it needs that day.'

Connect With Gemma:

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Connect With Clare:

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Further episodes of Salty Hair Self Care Conversations

Further podcasts by Clare Foale

Website of Clare Foale