Why it’s important to create a meaningful Acknowledgement of Country (and how you might do so!)

Thu 14 Jul, 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Many of us have delivered an Acknowledgement of Country – we have all no doubt heard one, and maybe you can recite one off by heart. But do you ever stop to think about WHY you are doing it? Or how you can make it more unique and meaningful? In this session Cara Kirkwood, Head of First Nations Strategy, National Gallery of Australia, Jamie Thomas from Wayapa Wuurrk and Rhys Paddick from Acknowledge This! will not only talk about the WHY but also the HOW so that the next Acknowledgement of Country you do is one that is personal and specific to you while also being respectful to the traditional owners on the land that you are on. 

Cara Kirkwood (Mandandanji, Mithaka peoples) is a national advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, art, culture and creative industries. Putting Aboriginal leadership at the fore of any project she’s involved with, Cara is interested in transforming existing western ways of thinking into contemporary and responsive initiatives, strategies and structures.

The culmination of this work saw Cara become the first, First Nations person appointed to the board of the Art Gallery of South Australia and even more recently be awarded a Churchill Fellowship.

Having worked across diverse geographical and industry contexts Cara has honed her skills as a cultural strategist. Returning to the National Gallery (Head of First Nations Engagement & Strategy) from the Australia Council for the Arts (Head of Combined Arts ), Cara has previously worked with the Department of Parliamentary Services, AGSA’s Tarnanthi Festival and Desart in Mparntwe (Alice Springs). 

Rhys Paddick is a Budimia / Yamatji / Noongar educator and artist living and working in Boorloo (Perth) Western Australia. Rhys’s passion lies in sharing common cultures through his training programs and art. As an educator, Rhys offers a range of training and facilitative workshops built around local Noongar culture. As an artist, Rhys illustrates, designs and delivers content in alignment with sharing traditional Aboriginal art with a modern take.

Jamie Marloo Thomas is the Co-Founder Wayapa Wuurrk® and is a GunaiKurnai man and Maara descendant.  He is a conduit of knowledge from his Elders to the next generations. He understands the pain of disconnection from Country, which is why he is devoted to reconnecting people back to their responsibility for caring for the the planet.

Combining 26 years of vast professional experience in Men’s Health, Well-being, Drug and Alcohol Support, Family Violence Prevention, Youth Mentoring, Cultural Heritage and Ancestral Remains Repatriation, with his personal connection practice rooted in Aboriginal Dance and Ceremony, Jamie co-created Wayapa in consultation with his Elders and Community.

Ultimately Jamie’s work is about helping people reconnect to Earth, Spirit and their true Self, so they can experience the wellness secrets that the First Australians enjoyed for over 100,000 years.

 

 

Venue
Zoom

Tickets

Members $20.00
Non members $25.00

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