THE Returning Indigenous Corporation in Upper Main Arm will share in $500,000 to celebrate Aboriginal culture in NSW, under the NSW Government’s Aboriginal Affairs Cultural Grants Program.
The program supports Aboriginal communities to strengthen, protect and maintain traditional and contemporary expressions of Aboriginal culture and support cultural events and activities. These projects make-up the first round of the $1-million program which aims to further strengthen and celebrate Aboriginal culture locally across the State.
Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said the $20,000 in funding for this project will be used to run a Culture Camp, an opportunity for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to gather together on Country for five days of deep cultural exchange and connection.
Indigenous participants attend free-of-charge through the Corporation’s scholarship program and First Nations facilitators are employed to run arts, movement, culture, wellbeing and nature workshops, Ms Saffin said.
“The camp is a very practical way of celebrating and recognising the world’s oldest living culture.”
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said the funded projects also contribute to targets of the National Closing the Gap agreement that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people enjoy high levels of social and emotional wellbeing and maintain cultural connection to country.
“This initiative is one of almost 30 projects across the state which has been funded to provide Aboriginal people and communities the opportunity to join together in the strength of their culture,”
The funded projects are designed to boost connection to culture and community for Aboriginal people across NSW and give the wider community a greater appreciation for the strength and beauty of Aboriginal culture. The grants also provide opportunities for leadership and healing, teaching and learning.
Round 2 of the program opened on Monday 15 January 2024, providing a further $500,000 for eligible projects being delivered in the second half of 2024. Applications close on 26 Feburary 2024.
For more detail on the Program and a list of recipients head to https://www.aboriginalaffairs.nsw.gov.au/grants/aboriginal-affairs-nsw-cultural-grants-program/
