The South East Regional Centre for Urban Landcare and Yelakitji Moort Noongar Association have joined together to present the Booyi Cultural Program.
The program celebrates the understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures.
Students and the wider community participating in the program will have the opportunity to journey through the bushland and wetland area around the Yule Brook Homestead in Beckenham.
Thy will discover the traditional practises of the Noongar people and their connection to the land.
Stories from local Aboriginal elders will further illuminate an understanding of indigenous history and the impacts of colonisation and settlement on local communities.
Noongar elder and SERCUL committee member Marie Taylor said the community needed to know more about the Noongar culture and the history of the land they live on.
“Let’s do something positive,” she said.
“I am honoured to be working with SECURL and together I’m sure it will be something very special.”
Drawing inspiration from the success of the program at Herdsman Park Lake Centre the Booyi Cultural Program will be launched on October 13.
Mrs Taylor said it has taken 12 months to get everything ready and she is happy to be a part of it.
“It’s not just for schools but for the wider community,” she said.
“They have an opportunity to learn about the ancient Noongar culture and traditions from the elders.”
Education and promotion manager at SERCUL Amy Krupa said it was the first time for the cultural program to come south of the river.
“The Canning River environment is a huge part of the Noongar culture,” she said.
“We offer the excursion and the incursion package.”
The excursion package offers a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony and a choice of three activities including building a traditional Aboriginal shelter, learning how to throw spears and learning the art of Aboriginal dance.
The incursion packages are tailored to suit classes and schools.
Booyi Program coordinator Tarnisha Ogilvie said it was important to learn about the Noongar culture.
“All my family are indigenous,” she said.
“I listened to the dream time stories from my nana but there is nothing like the Booyi Program.
“I hope to learn a lot from it, and I hope others will too.”
For more information visit booyi@sercul.org.au
