New Aboriginal tours and cultural experiences have been launched in Kings Park and Botanic Garden (Kaarta Koomba) this month marking National Reconciliation Week.
Nyungar Tours and Go Cultural Aboriginal Tours and Experiences, both owned and operated by local Aboriginal people, commenced in earlier this month and are already proving popular with locals and tourists from around the world.
These new initiatives to promote Aboriginal culture and knowledge, cater for growing interest in Aboriginal culture from locals and tourists alike.
Aspects of Kings Park gallery shop is also set to begin stocking works by Aboriginal artists, including popular products from the Aboriginal Art Gallery in Kings Park.
These cultural tours are part of a broader plan by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions to encourage authentic cultural experiences and collaborations with Aboriginal businesses in Western Australia.
The Aboriginal Rangers Program is also being celebrated this week, after a successful first round resulted in the creation of 85 new jobs and 80 training positions for Aboriginal people including 47 female ranger positions.
Comments attributed to Environment Minister Stephen Dawson:
"The Kings Park initiatives have been established in response to growing demand for authentic Aboriginal cultural experiences.
"With a long Aboriginal history and deep spiritual connections for the Wadjuk Nyoongar people, Kaarta Koomba is an ideal location in which to immerse visitors in this ancient element of Western Australian culture.
"These new tours will cater for the 78 per cent of visitors to Western Australia seeking a traditional Aboriginal cultural experience.
"Meanwhile, the State Government's Aboriginal Ranger Program has been extremely successful in creating pathways for Aboriginal people to develop careers in land management and leadership roles in communities."
