Indigenous cultural awareness workshop filling ‘gaping’ hole in Harvey community

Partnerships between Harvey’s Community Resource Centre and local Indigenous organisations are helping create a “culturally intelligent” community.

After the success of its Noongar Waangkiny language and culture course, Harvey CRC has seen a continual increase in interest from residents wanting to understand Aboriginal history and culture.

Its 10-week course includes not only language classes but cultural awareness, tool making and medicine workshops and has been running for the past two years.

With partners Bilya Moorditjabiny Training Services and Harvey Aboriginal Corporation, the course is a first of its kind to offer hand-in-hand learning with local indigenous Elders and families.

Harvey CRC manager Tracey-Ann Davis said the course filled a “gaping” hole in the community.

Up to 20 people could take part in classes at a time.

“Other CRCs offer different aspects, such as a cultural awareness course; we’re the first CRC and organisation to have partnered with Aboriginal groups to open the whole program up to everyone,” she said.

“Community resource centres are the Polyfilla for the community, so we really try to fill the gaps and this is one of those gaps that was definitely gaping.

“It’s an opportunity to share the similarities and celebrate what is different. Multiculturalism is a wonderful thing; there is so much you can learn from others and there is so much that you can share and enjoy.”