The Ballarat Foundation recently hosted a First Nations Cultural Awareness and Yarning Session, providing an opportunity for participants to learn, listen and engage in open dialogue. The workshop was held in the Tree Room at BADAC with Wadawurrung Education Officer, Ash Skinner, providing insight into Indigenous perspectives.
The session began with a traditional Smoking Ceremony which is performed to welcome and promote the well-being and protection of visitors. Participants were able to immerse themselves in the smoke to cleanse themselves before starting the session.
The purpose of the Cultural Awareness Session was to learn together and create a shared knowledge of Indigenous Perspective. Experiences such as these help people to listen deeply, remove biases and grow a shared respect.
Ash spoke from the heart and participants were keen to hear of his lived experience of an Indigenous person in Victoria. One participant commented, “Thanks so much Ash for your incredible cultural yarning session. Your generosity and humour in telling the ‘white fellas’ the stories of Wadawurrung history and the impact of invasion and displacement, and the pain in our history. You have taught me a great deal.”
Wadawurrung Education Officer, Ash Skinner.
Ash spoke about his childhood, growing up with negative stereotypes and how he embraces his cultural identity. Another participant remarked, “I learnt a lot about First Nations peoples’ history, especially the law and policies. l also heard a personal story of what it was like growing up as an Aboriginal person. Its important to learn about history and family as Indigenous culture is a big part of who we are as Australians.”
We’d like to thank Ash wholeheartedly for sharing his experiences and we are delighted that the session received such positive feedback.
Ash Skinner with Ballarat Foundation Volunteer Coordinator, Lisa Hall.