Gumbaynggirr community honoured by invitation from Māori community for cultural exchange.
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
BMNAC Quarterly Update - GUUNUGA BUUGUNY '22
What a year it's been and what a quarter we've had!
With so much exciting news and groundbreaking projects, we're bringing you the news in a whole new way!
Introducing the GUUNUGA BUUBUNY, or Spring Update!
Our latest Newsletter, reviews the quarter that's passed, announcements, highlights, and takes a look into the various areas of BMNAC from education to tourism - there is a whole lot going on!
Download the full newsletter here: BMNAC GUUNUGA BUUGUNY '22
A feast of wellness at Darruyaygam Maagun Festival!
The very first Darruyaygam Maagun Wellness and Culture Festival was held Friday the 9th of September.
Thank you to everyone that came along Friday September 9th to gather with us riverside at 'Baga-Baga' to celebrate unity, healing and culture. After all the postponements caused by Covid - 3 years later it was so good to see this vision realised and the hard work all come together.
The festival commenced underneath the grey storming clouds with Welcome to Country by Gawa Gary Williams and Smoking Ceremony with Gawa Martin Ballangarry.
With the looming storm overhead, the mood was of cautious celebration, but as the smoke rose, the rain stopped and throughout the opening dance the clouds cleared to reveal a glorious blue sky. A stirring moment that resonated with us all. The beautiful sunshine amplifying the excitement and enjoyment on the day.
All of the performances on the day were too deadly - musicians and dancers alike! The water was perfect for the river activities, a refreshing splash enjoyed by many. So many great products and activities with all of the stall holders and our Nyanggan Gapi crew working hard with the popularity of their coffees and food.
"Hopefully this opportunity empowers community to move forward in a positive way. Our ancestors guide us we need to continue embracing what is best for our mob, and the best way forward starts with our children being strong in culture and strong in self." Said Amanda Donovan event organiser and BMNAC / Nyanggan Giirrwaa program facilitator.
With the day winding down and the clean up finished the clouds returned, as if from a message from the old ones, bidding a farewell with a beautiful rainbow.
We're very happy to have the Darruyaygam Maagun Festival be an addition to the cultural calendar for the region and we're really looking forward to the next one- see you all there!
Goori Junuybin Art Exhibition, NAIDOC Week 2019
NAIDOC 2019~ VOICE.TREATY. TRUTH.
BMNAC is calling on Goori Young People to get creative and enter our Art Exhibition which will happen during NAIDOC Week 2019.
Young people wanting to enter are encouraged to attend our Goori Learning Centres in the lead up to the Art Exhibition- art supplies will be available!
When: Wednesday 10th July 2019
Where: Cavanbah Centre, 191 Harbour Drive, Coffs Harbour (starting time to be confirmed)
As this event will be catered by the amazing Nyanggan Gapi Cafe RSVP's are essential
Any enquiries please get in touch 66 525080 or amber@bmnac.org.au
BMNAC Newsletter #002
Bularri Muurlay Nyanggan Aboriginal Corporation would like to welcome everyone into 2019! New Year needs a NEW Newsletter! So we would like to LAUNCH our 2nd Edition of the BMNAC Newsletter! We're excited to share all of the exciting things that have been happening at BMNAC over the past months. We have so much more to cover, so keep an eye out for our next newsletter in the coming month...
View the full newsletter here: BMNAC Newsletter #002 Jan 2019
Coffs cafe is the real thing
BUILDING connections with local Indigenous youth and their heritage, the Bularri Muurlay Nyanggan Aboriginal Corporation is going from strength to strength.
BMNAC has been chosen as one of 23 charities to receive a $25,000 grant from the Coca-Cola Australia Foundation, which will provide additional support for its Nyanggan Gapi cafe located at Sealy Lookout.
Read full article here: http://online.isentialink.com/coffscoastadvocate.com.au/2018/08/28/e24a3a1e-cf87-4ef7-9fa5-4a2d04de1195.html