Giving Back

Napagi Napagi

Napagi Napagi. Give Give.

In the language of the central desert of Australia, there is an idea, of Napagi Napagi. It’s a reciprocity, but not of a give-take, but of a give-give. It is beyond exchange; it's a harmony that resonates across cultures and generations, a philosophy that has become the essence of our work, and everything I do.

In the heart of the Central Desert, where the sun bakes the earth and the wind whispers the songs of the ancestors, there is a concept that holds the very essence of community, reciprocity, and connection—Napagi Napagi. This phrase, born from the ancient tongues of the land, carries with it a deep, sacred meaning that resonates through every aspect of life in the desert. At its core, Napagi Napagi embodies the practice of “give, give.” It is not merely about the act of giving, but about the cycle of reciprocity that sustains communities, relationships, and the land itself. It’s a way of being, a relational obligation that ensures balance, harmony, and the flourishing of life.

The story of Napagi Napagi goes back to the Dreaming, the time when the ancestral beings shaped the world, leaving behind laws, stories, and the sacred duty to maintain the equilibrium of all things. It is said that during this time, the ancestors would gather around the campfire, exchanging gifts not out of obligation, but out of an understanding that to give is to receive. They knew that by offering a part of themselves—whether it was food, stories, or wisdom—they were feeding the very fabric of their existence, ensuring that the community thrived as one.

This practice of giving was not transactional; it was transformational. It wove the people together, creating a tapestry of interconnected lives where the well-being of one was tied to the well-being of all. In the desert, where resources were scarce and survival depended on the strength of the collective, Napagi Napagi became a guiding principle, a way of living that ensured everyone was cared for, that no one was left behind.

At Ngarra, we have embraced Napagi Napagi as the heartbeat of our project. It is the philosophy that drives everything we do, from the way we approach communities to the way we share stories with the world. We give cameras, knowledge, and opportunities to the youth in marginalized communities, but it doesn’t end there. The act of giving is a beginning, a spark that ignites a cycle of reciprocity.

The photographs that emerge from these communities are not just images; they are gifts—gifts to the world that offer a glimpse into lives, cultures, and perspectives that are too often overlooked. When these images are exhibited, sold, and shared, the cycle continues. The profits flow back into the communities, funding education, healthcare, and opportunities that lift people up, that give them the tools to thrive. This is Napagi Napagi in action—giving not just once, but in a way that creates ripples, that builds something lasting, something that nourishes the spirit as much as the body.

Napagi Napagi reminds us that in giving, we are part of a larger story, one that has been unfolding since the time of the ancestors. It teaches us that to truly give is to honor the interconnectedness of all life, to recognize that what we offer to others, we offer to ourselves, to the land, and to the future. This is why Napagi Napagi sits at the center of our project—it is the guiding star that keeps us aligned with the wisdom of the land, the teachings of the ancestors, and the promise of a future where everyone has the opportunity to give and to receive, to be part of the never-ending cycle of life.

We are the ancestors of the future. We are at a point where it is our moral imperative, our obligation, to reimagine our place in the circle of life. Not at the centre but as a part of the whole.

Living under the Law of the Land. Living in the pattern of creation. Every life is affected by the actions of every other life in this world. Every life tied to the health of the planet. The future survival, not just of us but of all life will be dependent on humans being able to once again perceive & be custodians of the patterns of creation, returning to a way of living in relation to the land, coming back to that way of being, & transition our living systems into something that is sustainable in the true sense of the word. That is where the idea of Napagi Napagi comes in.

In a world that operates in a give-and-take paradigm, and more often than not, a take take paradigm if we are being honest, Napagi Napagi is the other way, an idea transcending the realm of mere reciprocity. It’s the understanding that when we commit to giving, a kind of dance begins. For it’s never one way. It depends on our relations. In one relationship, I may give, and they take. I may take, whilst another gives. But the modus operandus, if you will, is to give give. This belief, and version of it, you can find in the heart of indigenous cultures around the world, which is such a different portrait from the transactional landscape we think of in the ‘West’. In our true way, humanity’s instinct to give, to share, and is far from a novelty—it’s the core of community. You see someone who needs, it’s given. Its not a question, or a thought, its not something to put on tiktok or demonstrate, because its a way of being. It extends beyond self-interest, embracing the prosperity of the whole ecosystem. So that being said, and trying to not contradict myself within the same part of this yarn, this page is about the ideas, we will share some of the work we do, how I give back, as an inspiration and guide to how you too can help, how you can supports local and national projects, amplifying our collective impact through collaboration. Take a moment as we sit here together to contemplate this idea. We are the ancestors of the future. What we do today is writing the story we will be remembered by. How does that change your actions? How does that change what we expect of others? How does that change what we accept of companies, of governments, of ourselves? Because the next generation is looking up at us, & it’s time we take action. & to go forward we must look back.

We are the ancestors of the future. We are at a point where it is our moral imperative, our obligation, to reimagine our place in the circle of life. Not at the centre but as a part of the whole. Living under the Law of the Land. Living in the pattern of creation. Every life is affected by the actions of every other life in this world. Every life tied to the health of the planet. The future survival, not just of us but of all life will be dependent on humans being able to once again perceive & be custodians of the patterns of creation, returning to a way of living in relation to the land, coming back to that way of being, & transition our living systems into something that is sustainable in the true sense of the word. That is where the idea of Napagi Napagi comes in.

Earth Legacy's impact reaches far and wide, echoing through communities and landscapes around the globe. Through our collaborative projects, we have fostered a deep appreciation for Indigenous knowledge systems, promoting environmental stewardship and cultural revitalization. Our work has sparked a reconnection with the natural world, inspiring individuals and communities to live in harmony with the Earth. By integrating Indigenous wisdom into our projects, we have not only preserved ancient traditions but also empowered future generations to carry them forward. Our commitment to reciprocity and respect has led to lasting change, creating a more sustainable and harmonious world for all beings.

Our commitment to giving back to the community and creating pathways for future storytellers is at the heart of everything we do. By donating 100% of our profits to projects that support Indigenous communities, environmental conservation, and cultural preservation, we are not only nurturing a world woven with purpose and positivity but also ensuring that stories continue to be shared and celebrated for generations to come.

We recognize that the art industry operates within a marketplace, but we believe that there is a way to navigate this system without compromising our values. By supporting Earth Legacy, you are not just supporting a creative agency; you are supporting a movement towards a more equitable and inclusive world, where stories are free to flourish and inspire. Join us on this journey of storytelling and stewardship, and together, let's create a legacy of positivity and purpose.

33.3% TO COMMUNITY

33.3% of profits are reinvested into the local
community, supporting job creation, local
talent, and grassroots organizations. This
helps to uplift and empower the places we
touch.

33.3% TO COUNTRY

33.3% of profits are invested in local and
national initiatives that align with our values,
amplifying the impact of our work through
collaboration with like-minded partners.

33.3% TO CAUSES

33.3% profits support the Earth Legacy
programs and the programs of our nonprofit
partners, the beacons of empowerment in
remote communities around the world, helping
to create lasting social change.

Join me by the campfire for the story of the first currency.

A new landscape, some 12,000 years old, a volcanic cataclysm made way for a lush rainforest & big story. The story of the first currency.

Here there is a rare striped shell, a shell that is only found on this small stretch of coastline. Because of its rarity, the local custodians experimented with endowing these shells with value, giving them a form of currency & traded them across the country.

The unexpected result was that people started to collect the shells, hold them & hoard them. Suddenly things weren’t moving. There was no velocity in the community. Things slowed down, community & familial relationships were going wrong, there was war & violence & people were getting sick.

As part of the dreaming in this part of Queensland, at the tail of the reef a form of rainbow serpent was known to come from sea to tableland along the waterway.

One day when serpant came from the sea on its journey inland, the people saw thousands of shells stuck in its scales. Driven by their greed, they murdered him & stole the shells.

When they saw what they had done, what the shells had driven them to do, what this monetary system had done to the community, the experiment was abandoned, never to be repeated. Lessons in greed, in sharing freely, in familial currency & equity, value in trade & so many other aspects of law are embedded within this lore. People are not supposed to live this way.

The rainbow serpent is a spirit of creation. If you live in this way, inevitably, you will kill all of creation. 

Isn’t that what we've done? Our modern world fighting for shells made of 0’s & 1’s, forced to live in an unnatural situation, having to survive in an economic system that needs to exclude groups of people in order for anything to be priced.

All inequality, prejudice, everything is just a symptom of a growth based pathological economic system;

& people are sick of it. Because we know, inherently, that to live this way is in opposition to the laws of the land.

Indigenous knowledge systems, from all over the world, can provide the path forward in fixing the broken systems that are in place.

We just have to ask, listen, & be willing to change. We need to.

We are the ancestors of the future. We are at a point where it is our moral imperative, our obligation, to reimagine our place in the circle of life. Not at the centre but as a part of the whole. Living under the Law of the Land. Living in the pattern of creation. Every life is affected by the actions of every other life in this world. Every life tied to the health of the planet. The future survival, not just of us but of all life will be dependent on humans being able to once again perceive & be custodians of the patterns of creation, returning to a way of living in relation to the land, coming back to that way of being, & transition our living systems into something that is sustainable in the true sense of the word. That is where the idea of Napagi Napagi comes in.

 

If you feel called to contribute to our mission of stewardship and community empowerment, we invite you to join us around the digital council fire. Your support can take many forms, from sharing your own stories and wisdom to offering practical assistance or resources. In the spirit of reciprocity and Gadugi, we believe that everyone has something valuable to contribute and that by working together, we can create a more harmonious and sustainable world for all. Reach out to us to explore how we can collaborate and support each other on this journey of rediscovery and renewal.

Giving back to our communities is not just an act of generosity; it is the way of being. Of Human-Being. It is our responsibility to safeguarding the future for the next seven generations.