Gumbaynggirr community honoured by invitation from Māori community for cultural exchange.
Aboriginal cultural education journey bound for Aotearoa.
Bularri Muurlay Nyanggan Aboriginal Corporation (BMNAC) will embark on a cultural exchange trip to Aotearoa (New Zealand) in early February. Over the course of two weeks, more than 40 participants will travel abroad to establish relations with Māori people, schools and participate in significant events.
Representatives from the Gumbaynggirr Giingana Freedom School (GGFS), dance troupe Giingan Yiiliwiyay Girrwaa (GYG) and community Elders will join BMNAC in travelling to locations around the North Island and meeting with local iwi (tribes). The group will visit Māori immersion and charter schools, cultural sites of significance, and stay in Maraes to gain a deeper experience and connection.
Fiona Lugnan, GGFS Secondary Education Development Manager commended the Māori community for reclaiming and revitalising their language. She spoke of the benefits an opportunity like this will bring for collaboration between First Nations.
“Developing partnerships and relationships with established language immersion schools, and experiencing the teaching and learning activities provided to their children, are essential to ensuring that we remain a global education leader. We are really excited to share knowledge and curriculum, and strengthen our innovative educational programs” stated Mrs. Lugnan.
During the trip, the group will participate in important events including the NRL Harvey Norman All Stars (Feb 11th) and the anniversary celebrations for the Treaty of Waitangi (Feb 6th). This is the first time that an international First Nations group has been invited to perform on Waitangi Day, marking an important chapter in First Nations Solidarity.
“We are incredibly honoured to take part in the Waitangi Day celebrations, it’s going to be so special sharing our culture, visiting Māori immersion schools, sharing love and creating that big songline across the ocean” stated Nathan Brennan of dance group GYG (formerly known as Wajaarr Ngaarlu).
BMNAC has been working hard preparing for this exchange trip including fundraising. Thanks to sponsorship from the NRL and contributions from BMNAC’s sister business Wajaana Yaam Adventure Tours, this vision is now a reality.
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Bularri Muurlay Nyanggan Aboriginal Corporation is a not-for-profit Aboriginal organisation established in 2010 in Coffs Harbour, on the North Coast of NSW. BMNAC runs a variety of cultural and educational programs including the Gumbaynggirr Giingana Freedom School, the first bi-lingual school of an Aboriginal language in NSW. These programs are designed to ensure that Aboriginal youth are strong in terms of both cultural identity and educational success.
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For more information or media enquiries:
Brooke Cuy
BMNAC Communications Director
brooke@bmnac.org.au
(02) 6652 5080 or 0400 065 644