Nepali scholars experience First Nations culture ahead of NAIDOC Week

On 7–14 July 2024, Australia marks NAIDOC Week to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Ahead of NAIDOC Week, Australia Awards scholars from Nepal have participated in Indigenous engagement activities across Australia. These opportunities provided the scholars with an appreciation of Indigenous Australians’ culture, history and achievements.

One of the highlights of these events was a three-day, two-night immersive First Nations experience held in Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park in South Australia. Fourteen scholars from South Asia and Mongolia, including several who are indigenous or from traditionally marginalised groups, travelled from across Australia to participate. Scholars undertook tours to learn about the relationship that the Adnyamathanha people, the Traditional Owners of the greater Ikara and Flinders Ranges area, have with the environment. Scholars also learnt about Indigenous perspectives through a yarning circle around a campfire at Ikara, leading to a discussion of this year’s NAIDOC theme: ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud’.

In Melbourne, scholars travelled to the Willum Warrain Aboriginal bush nursery in Hastings on the Mornington Peninsula. Peter Aldenhoven, a Quandamooka man and the founding member and CEO of Willum Warrain Aboriginal Association which owns and operates the nursery, began the tour with a smoking ceremony, Welcome to Country and face-painting using ochre. Peter then imparted his knowledge about the Koorie bush tucker trail, traditional huts, material culture and the local flora of the Mornington Peninsula.

Over in Canberra, at Wildbark, scholars took part in a Country walk led by Richie Allan, a Ngunnawal Kamilaroi custodian who was born in Ngunnawal Country. Richie introduced the scholars to the concept of Caring for Country, which refers to Indigenous people’s connection to the management of land, water, plants and animals. Throughout the tour, the scholars engaged in discussions and asked questions. “Programs like this are very important, because they give non-Indigenous people a chance to learn our culture and ways of living for thousands of years,” Richie said.

In Sydney, scholars embarked on a cultural cruise run by Tribal Warrior Aboriginal Corporation and learnt about the history and traditional culture of Sydney Harbour. Stories of the Gadigal, Guringai, Wangal, Gammeraigal and Wallumedegal people were shared on board the cruise before the scholars disembarked on Clark Island. There, the scholars learnt about life pre-colonisation, the coastal lifestyle, and traditional fishing methods and food gathering techniques.

In Adelaide, scholars were welcomed at the Living Kaurna Cultural Centre with the greeting ‘Niina marni’, which means ‘Hello, how are you?’ in Kaurna language. Taylah, the Indigenous tour guide, led the group around significant Kaurna sites in the south of Adelaide, including Moana Sands Conservation Park and an 800-year-old scarred tree in the Warriparinga wetlands. The scholars learnt about the history of the locations and their cultural significance. Throughout the day, they walked together on Country, fostering a sense of connection and unpacking shared understanding of cultural values.