New Aboriginal
tours and cultural experiences have been launched in Kings Park and Botanic
Garden (Kaarta Koomba) this month marking National Reconciliation Week.
Nyungar Tours
and Go Cultural Aboriginal Tours and Experiences, both owned and operated by
local Aboriginal people, commenced in earlier this month and are already
proving popular with locals and tourists from around the world.
These new
initiatives to promote Aboriginal culture and knowledge, cater for growing
interest in Aboriginal culture from locals and tourists alike.
Aspects of
Kings Park gallery shop is also set to begin stocking works by Aboriginal
artists, including popular products from the Aboriginal Art Gallery in Kings
Park.
These cultural
tours are part of a broader plan by the Department of Biodiversity,
Conservation and Attractions to encourage authentic cultural experiences and
collaborations with Aboriginal businesses in Western Australia.
The Aboriginal
Rangers Program is also being celebrated this week, after a successful first
round resulted in the creation of 85 new jobs and 80 training positions for
Aboriginal people including 47 female ranger positions.
Comments
attributed to Environment Minister Stephen Dawson:
“The Kings Park
initiatives have been established in response to growing demand for authentic
Aboriginal cultural experiences.
“With a long
Aboriginal history and deep spiritual connections for the Wadjuk Nyoongar people,
Kaarta Koomba is an ideal location in which to immerse visitors in this ancient
element of Western Australian culture.
“These new
tours will cater for the 78 per cent of visitors to Western Australia seeking a
traditional Aboriginal cultural experience.
“Meanwhile, the
State Government’s Aboriginal Ranger Program has been extremely successful in
creating pathways for Aboriginal people to develop careers in land management
and leadership roles in communities.”
