- Cook Labor Government investing more than $500,000 to support on Country activities across Western Australia
- The latest Connecting to Country grant round supports 23 WA Aboriginal projects
- Funding to strengthen cultural knowledge sharing, leadership and stronger communities
- Cook Labor Government fostering a creative economy and inclusive communities
The Cook Labor Government is supporting Aboriginal people and organisations across Western Australia to strengthen cultural knowledge, leadership and community wellbeing through the latest round of the Connecting to Country program.
A total of 23 projects will share in $506,711 through the latest grant round, which supports Aboriginal-led initiatives that bring people together on Country to share knowledge, maintain culture and strengthen connections across generations.
Connecting to Country provides grants of up to $25,000 to Aboriginal organisations, individuals and groups, as well as organisations working closely with Aboriginal communities that can demonstrate strong Aboriginal governance and leadership.
The program supports activities that foster the transfer of knowledge across cultures, including the preservation of language, stories, cultural practices and dance.
Recipients of the latest Connecting to Country grants include:
Perth
Koya Aboriginal Corporation – $19,980 for Australia’s Cultural Night Sky: Culture, Creativity and Community in the Pinnacles Desert, Western Australia
City of Canning – $9,700 for Ngalang Kadjin Moorditj “Our Spirit Strong” Program
Yule Brook College – $16,363 for Out on Country: Connecting to Home
Kimberley
Jilinya – $18,070 for Wororra Cultural Knowledge Integration: Connecting Ancestors’ Voices to Country
Bulngunna Aboriginal Corporation – $25,000 for Looking After Carved Boab Trees on Yingualyalya Country
Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporation – $25,000 for Telling Lalay Stories, Singing Junba Songs, and Art Paintings of Traditional Wanjina Wunggurr Rock Art
Walalakoo Aboriginal Corporation – $25,000 for Voices of Country: Nyikina Mangala Cultural Camp
Nyamba Buru Yawuru – $25,000 for Yawuru Intergenerational Learnings
Yurriyangem Taam Aboriginal Corporation – $25,000 for Connecting to Kija Culture on Yurriyangem Taam
Goodngarngoon Aboriginal Corporation – $25,000 for Ewuny (Sunday Island) Back to Country for young and old
Pilbara
Buurabalayji Thalanyji Aboriginal Corporation – $25,000 for Thalanyji Wangka Yardinga Thalanyji language along the river
Wanparta Aboriginal Corporation – $19,852 for Ngarla On-Country Knowledge Transfer and Cultural Preservation Project
Mid West
Bundiyarra Aboriginal Community Aboriginal Corporation – $24,201 for Ngarlawangga Warringga Manayanba
Youth Focus – $25,000 for Reconnecting with Country
Gascoyne
Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation – $24,999 for Strengthening Middamia Connection to Country
Wheatbelt
Wheatbelt Arts & Events Incorporated – $24,903 for On Country – Strong Culture – Strong Community
Rohan Collard – $25,000 for Moorditj Moort Walbarniny Project
Digital Immersions Indigenous Corporation – $25,000 for Country Narratives: Creative Heritage and Culture on Wiilman Nyoongah Boodja
Noongar Kaartdijin Aboriginal Corporation $15,500 for Kura – Yey – Kalyakoorl (Past-Present-Future): Noongar Family Cultural Reconnection at Boyagering
Goldfields-Esperance
Tjupan Ngalia Tribal Land Council Aboriginal Corporation – $10,180 for Pakurrku:ku Ngurrura Yiwarra – Pathways on Country with Kado Muir
Great Southern
Great Southern Noongar Aboriginal Corporation – $25,000 for Caring for Our Future: Moorditj Koolingars
Wagyl Kaip Southern Noongar Aboriginal Corporation – $24,963 for Noongar Elders Stories and Oral History Project
Gorenang Moortabiin Aboriginal Engagement & Community Development Aboriginal Corporation – $23,000 for Kalyakoorl Boodja
The next round of Connecting to Country grants will open on Tuesday, 8 September. Details are available at – https://cits.wa.gov.au/funding/creative-industries-funding/connecting-to-country
As stated by Creative Industries Minister Simone McGurk:
“The Connecting to Country program supports Aboriginal communities to continue sharing the cultural knowledge, stories and traditions that have been passed down for generations.
“These projects help bring Elders and young people together on Country to learn, connect and ensure cultural knowledge continues to thrive.
“The Cook Labor Government is proud to support initiatives that celebrate and strengthen Aboriginal culture while building leadership and opportunity within communities across Western Australia.”
As stated by Aboriginal Affairs Minister Don Punch:
“Connecting to Country recognises the importance of cultural leadership and the role that culture plays in strengthening community wellbeing.
“These grants help Aboriginal-led projects to empower communities, nurture young leaders and maintain strong cultural connections to Country.
“It is wonderful to see such a diverse range of initiatives being delivered across Western Australia, helping preserve language, knowledge and cultural practices for future generations.”
