Anglicare Australia Aboriginal Culture and Experience Tour

In June, ten nominated delegates from across the Anglicare Australia Network travelled to the Northern Territory to take part in the ‘2019 Anglicare Australia Aboriginal Culture and Experience Program’, hosted by Anglicare NT. The program was a collaboration between Anglicare Australia and Anglicare NT, aimed at providing participants from across Australia with a unique immersive experience of Aboriginal culture in the NT.

The six day program, the first of its kind to be run within the Network, was developed with the intent of facilitating deeper understanding of Aboriginal culture and people, and reflect on how can continue to work to support self-determination and strengthen and grow reconciliation efforts.

Facilitated by our Senior Aboriginal Advisor, Leonie Patterson and Executive Manager, Terry Cleary participants travelled to Darwin and then the Katherine region, with highlights including:

  • Cross cultural training from Traditional Owners and Elders from Darwin (Larrakia) and the Katherine region (Jawoyn)
  • Developing cultural awareness and learn about the unique heritage, strengths and culture of Aboriginal people of the Northern Territory
  • Meeting with Aboriginal leaders from government, health, justice and business
  • Visiting one of the world’s premier national parks, the Nitmiluk National Park
  • Savouring freshly caught local Aboriginal tucker at beautiful East Point reserve
  • Attending the internationally renowned Barunga Festival, an annual celebration of Aboriginal music, sport and culture

Delegates regularly reflected through yarning circles and spoke of feeling changed from the experience and having a deeper commitment to continued learning and connection with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, with a stronger commitment to support reconciliation in their own roles and communities. Delegates learnt how working in partnership with Aboriginal organisations and people continues to support and shape the delivery of Anglicare NT services.

The Board and Executive Management Team would like to thank the following people and organisations who contributed and supported the program:

  • Larrakia Traditional Owners Donna Jackson and Mary Williams
  • John Paterson, CEO of the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance of the NT, along with Aboriginal Peak Organisations of the NT Program Manager, Wes Miller and Project Officer, Brione Noonan
  • Jawoyn Association Incorporated representatives
  • Dr. Christine Fejo-King, NT Government Reform Management Office Director and Larakia Senior Elder
  • Priscilla Atkins, CEO of the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency
  • Dale Austin from Dingo Cockatoo Aboriginal Culture
  • Renee Long, CEO of the NT Indigenous Business Network
  • May Rosas, Ngaigu Mulu Aboriginal Corporation and Wardaman/Dagoman Senior Elder

Special thanks goes to Jason Elsegood and the team at Cross Cultural Consultants who helped in organising the event as well as supported a number of key aspects of the tour.