The children laugh as they participate in important cultural practices across the grounds of Garma in the Northern Territory.
Each evening Yolngu young people dance in the sand of the bunggul grounds alongside adults and elders of their clans.
Indeed, as the Yidaki (didgeridoo), bilma (clapping sticks) and voices of the songmen rang out over the largest Indigenous cultural gathering in the country earlier this month, it was the smallest dancers who often stole the show.
The evening bunggul is a sharing of stories and knowledge connected to the land and sea Country of each clan.
The children are watching, learning and practising their birthright - a strong and vibrant Yolngu culture - that has been passed down for countless generations.
This is the heart of Garma, the sharing of knowledge and culture, from Elders to young people, from Yolngu to balanda (non-Indigenous), from Arnhem Land to the world.
Starting in 1999 as a community gathering, the Garma Festival attracts thousands of visitors to Gulkula, which is a special place for Gumatj people, each year.
The 2024 Garma theme - Gurtha-Wuma Worrk-gu: Fire, Strength and Renewal - focussed on young people, passing down the fire, and calling on them to be future leaders.
It also spoke to the defeat of the 2023 referendum to establish an Indigenous voice to parliament.
Just as fire brings regeneration to Country, making way for the new, for Yolngu people the metaphorical fire of that defeat brings strength and renewal, Yothu Yindi Foundation chairman Djawa Yunupingu said.
"You may have heard us say ‘Look up to the Future, or Gurtha-Wuma Worrk-gu'," he said.
"These are not play words, this is what we believe, and we choose to look forward not back."
Mr Yunupingu said Yolngu leaders remain strong as the next generation rises to take on the challenges ahead.
Key to the strength of Yolngu children is education, with Mr Yunupingu raising the metaphor of fire to represent knowledge gained.
"Yolngu are committed to education at every level," he said.
"We seek to put fire in the bright minds of our children through education and training."
During Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's visit to Garma Festival, which took place from August 2-5, he announced $20 million in funding for the Garma Institute.
The institute is a tertiary and vocational training centre run by Yolngu people, which allows young people to stay on Country for their education.
But it's not only Western education systems and institutions that are important for Yolngu children. Cultural knowledge and the lessons of Country, connection and language are equally significant.
Teacher and linguist Yalmay Yunupingu is often referred to as the mother of the Yirrkala Bilingual School in northeast Arnhem Land.
While she officially retired in 2023, after four decades of teaching the next generation of Yolngu children, she's still involved in the school and an education program that walks 'two worlds' - both Yonlgu and Western.
Speaking at an education forum at Garma, Ms Yunupingu referenced the lyrics of Whitney Houston's song, 'Greatest Love of All', to underscore her passion for education and her belief in the future of Yolngu young people.
"I believe the children are our future leaders yesterday, today and tomorrow," she said.
"Let them lead the way, show the beauty they possess inside, give them a sense of pride, dignity and identity, not to be balanda, but Yolngu living two worlds.
"Lighting the fire for rebirth of the environment and to build our nation strong."
Ms Yunupingu said all Australians should aspire to learning and education.
"We should all stand up and educate ourselves and our children, our young people to be strong citizens of this country Australia, and stay strong and focused," she said.
Djawa Yunupingu hopes the nation will be connected and future generations of Aboriginal and non-Indigenous Australians will walk side-by-side on the lands his ancestors have walked for thousands of years.
"I have children, I have grandchildren," he said.
"I want a future for them where they can thrive and be the best they can be. I want the same future for your children and grandchildren."
