Recently, a group of 23 of our Year 5 and 6 students were lucky enough to participate in an unforgettable, small-group cultural immersion in the Top End, delivered by operator Red Earth.
Over the course of seven days, our students lived and learned alongside Traditional Owners on Jawoyn Country, with Day 1 seeing the students travel to Berry Springs Nature Park for a refreshing swim, before setting up camp at Tumbling Waters.
On Day 2, the students travelled by bus to Banatjarl Homeland, where they experienced a beautiful Welcome to Country and set up their tents and camp for a four-day experience.
One student reflected on the warm welcome they received: “There were cheers and claps from everyone as we made it onto the beautiful Banatjarl Homeland. After a quick tour, we excitedly set up camp. Here comes Aunty Chiyo and her family – five-year-old Aidan comes rocketing in with energy and excitement, and Chantan, Ethan, and Tylus come with big grins, showing off their natural sporting skills.
“Chiyo let her ancestors know that we were welcome on her land through a special ceremony, in which she welcomed us to Country in traditional language. Then, she and her family gave us an individual water blessing.”
Across the next few days, our students learned how to make bush medicine from traditional plants, tried their hand at making traditional clapsticks with community Elders, and enjoyed learning to cook kangaroo tail and damper.
Plunging into the Katherine Hot Springs was another experience they won’t soon forget.
For our young people and their teachers, it was particularly special to walk to important cultural sites on the Homeland and hear stories that shaped the Country. Students were gifted a unique skin name that revealed the richness and complexity of Aboriginal relationship systems, and will forever connect them with the Banatjarl Traditional Owners, their culture, language and their Country.
During their nightly reflections beneath the stars, our students spoke of their deep appreciation for Aboriginal art and storytelling, the meaningful connections they made with Traditional Owners, and the pristine wilderness of this highly significant Aboriginal homeland and cultural site.
Day 6 brought with it a visit to nearby Nitmiluk National Park, where our students experienced a sunset cruise on the incredible Katherine Gorge, before they farewelled and thanked our Red Earth Leaders and First Nations facilitators for the wisdom they had shared.
