DELVING into Gumbaynggirr history and learning about connection to culture is a key way to provide children in care with positive experiences, according to CASPA.

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Learning about significant local burial sites, bush tucker, traditional ways of healing and hunting for traditional tools were all part of a school holiday program run by charity CASPA for young people in care.

With the help of Clark Webb and Troy Robinson of the Bularri Muurlay Nyanggan Aboriginal Corporation, the supportive holiday program for children and young people in Residential Care and Foster Care aims to provide young people with positive experiences and recreation activities to further develop interpersonal skills.

“This past school holidays our team hosted a cultural day for children, young people, staff and Foster carers where we explored the area of Moonee Beach where we learnt about the history of the area,” said Terri Bird, CASPA Aboriginal Supports & Services Manager and Gumbaynggirr woman.

“Bringing a cultural aspect to the School holiday program is about sharing the rich culture of the local Aboriginal people.

“CASPA has a large number of Aboriginal children in care and providing opportunities to teach and share culture with them, will hopefully instill contentedness, pride and a sense of identity.”

Clark and Troy welcomed the group onto their country and painted their faces in ochre before participants were then shown significant burial sites and led on a bushwalk, picking bush tucker used to cleanse the body and heal any sickness.

The children and young people searched the area and found traditional tools that would have been used as knives and fish scalers by local tribes and told traditional stories on how Gumbayngirr country began.

“We took our fire onto the beach and burnt lemon myrtle as a smoking ceremony to remove negativity and welcome positivity which was an incredibly moving moment shared between the young people and staff and foster carers,” Terri said.

The program will run every school holidays.

By Kue HALL