Perhaps we all remember a special body of water from childhood – a small creek or a favourite beach where we first learnt to swim. For Ruby Djikarra Alderton, this water lies in Yirrkala, north-east Arnhem Land.

In Mayaŋ, personal and familial memories pool together. Blending current-day footage and archival material, Alderton recounts stories of her mother creating small bark canoes along the river and recalls past generations who used the waters for washing, swimming and hunting. Alderton was a teenager when she made this film. She is hopeful that the cycle will continue, and with this work makes a poignant call to protect these waters for future generations.