Cultural Walk for Community with Wiradyuri Elder, Uncle James Ingram
To honour National Reconciliation Week 2023, our Wagga Wagga Workforce Australia team members attended Cultural Walk for Community to work towards the goal of building respectful relationships between the broader Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Led by local Wiradyuri Elder, Uncle James Ingram from the Bidya Marra Consultancy, the Cultural Walk for Community helped to build our awareness of the significance of Wiradyuri culture in the city of Wagga Wagga NSW.
Wiradyuri Elder, Uncle James Ingram shared his knowledge of the Murrumbidgee River, the Wollundry Lagoon and other significant sites around the local Wagga Wagga area.
Commencing at Riverside, Wagga Wagga Beach with a Welcome to Country, participants experienced stomping on Country and weaving with the Hands-on Weavers group, followed by a tour of the Riverside precinct and the Wollundry Lagoon.
Employer Relationship Coordinator Deb Thacker highly recommends the Cultural Walk for Community.
“There were things that I didn’t know that existed within a 1-2km walk of our culture.”
Deb explains “The day started with a Smoking Ceremony at the Wagga Wagga Beach and later, dancing that led into Ceremony. Significant landmarks and artefacts were explored. We explored the Stolen Generation Rock at the Civic Centre and a tree of significance and gathering at Wagga Wagga Beach.”
“Later participants of the Cultural Walk for Community were invited to a Yarning Circle where stories were shared, with all later participating in Wiradyuri Weaving.”
“The most impactful part of the Cultural Walk for Community was the Smoking Ceremony. We got to participate within the culture. Meanings behind the Smoking Ceremony were given with words and dancing. We were then blessed with the Stone Smoke”.
“The Cultural Walk for Community allowed participants to feel a part of the culture and I highly recommend it to all.”
Need help to find a career path that works for you? Get in touch with us on 1300 SUREWAY (1300 787 392) or [email protected] to find out how we can help.
