DARK EMU DANCER TALKS OUT AGAINST BRUCE PASCOE’S BEER

A new lager created in collaboration with Bruce Pascoe has stirred controversy due to the inclusion of a Yuin men’s initiation Dreamtime story on the can.

Dark Emu Lager is a beer that was created in collaboration between the Sailor’s Grave Brewing Company in Orbost and Yuin, Bunurong, and Tasmanian author Bruce Pascoe.

Pascoe is the author of the book “Dark Emu” which entered the Australian literary canon in 2014 when it challenged the dominant idea of Aboriginal society being a hunter-gatherer society.

Warren Ngaarae Foster a multi-disciplinary artist danced in the production of Pascoe’s Dark Emu. He said the Yuin story written on the can of alcohol is special and sacred to the Yuin people.

“It’s one of our lore stories that our old people tell the young men when they have gone through their initiation”.

Mr Foster said Pascoe was adopted into ceremony and lore to the Yuin nation and as an initiated man, he should be more aware of the protocols in sharing the story.

Photo of the can (Photo: The Otters Promise)

He further expressed his disappointment the story was put on a can of alcohol.

“That stuff [alcohol] is one of our biggest killers, and one of the biggest things putting our young people behind bars”.

Foster expressed that the best course of action would be to remove the story from the can.

“He can make beer and money using natural ingredients they grew”.

Bruce Pascoe has been contacted for comment.