Generation next
Empowering communities
WORDS KATE ROBERTSON
Generation next
Empowering communities
WORDS KATE ROBERTSON
Young Yawuru and Karajarri practise and share their culture during Mabu Buru traditional dance experiences.
Forget theoretical discussions about civilisations past—Australia offers visitors the truly unique experience of learning about ancient cultures directly from the source.
On an Indigenous-led tour, history comes alive as you experience the vibrant cultural practices, ancient knowledge and innovative technologies that have sustained Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for more than 65,000 years.
And, as many of the operators in Tourism Australia’s Discover Aboriginal Experiences collective are committed to reinvesting their profits into education, training, and employment opportunities for Indigenous people, you’ll be pleased to know these tours are helping ensure that First Nations’ cultures remain strong for future generations.
Experiences like Tali Wiru are promoting culture and providing jobs.
training academy
Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia is known globally for their incredible cultural experiences, such as Wintjiri Wiru, which brings the ancient Mala story to life with the use of choreographed drones, lasers, and projections that dance across the desert landscape against the backdrop of Uluru.
The fact the local Anangu people were willing to share their story in this way is testament to the close relationship Ayers Rock Resort has fostered with Aboriginal communities, including establishing the National Indigenous Training Academy (NITA) in 2011. More than 700 young Aboriginal people have now graduated from NITA with skills and qualifications in retail, horticulture and hospitality, and the resort employs about 60 per cent of the graduates each year.
A third of Voyages employees at Uluru are Aboriginal.
Voyages CEO, Matt Cameron-Smith, says NITA has been a game changer for the industry – ensuring Aboriginal employment in the tourism sector goes beyond specifically cultural experiences, or even tourism, with some using their qualifications as a stepping stone to other careers.
"We've got graduates that are studying law in Brisbane. We've got graduates that are now working up in Cairns advising the North Queensland government on Indigenous policy. So, there's a lot of great success stories that have come out of the program."
Thanks to NITA, more than 30 per cent of Voyages’ Uluru workforce identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, but Matt is keen to emphasise the benefits are not all one way.
‘Part of our purpose is to change the lives of people—both our guests and our team members—through cultural tourism, and that needs culture to be strong.’
Jacob Williamson, 21, loves being employed in Indigenous Tourism.
High tide raises all ships
Since Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel launched its first tour to the Great Barrier Reef in Far North Queensland in November 2018, it has employed and upskilled more than 30 First Nations staff, including the industry’s first Torres Strait Islander dive instructor.
Dreamtime works with not-for-profit organisation Shoreline to provide training to Indigenous students in Year 11 and 12. The students attend school part time as they work towards Certificate III and IV qualifications and are offered full-time employment when they finish Year 12.
Jacob Williamson, 21, loves being employed in Indigenous Tourism.
Parent company Reef Unlimited’s Culture and Community Officer Trevor Tim says Aboriginal trainees are initially employed as cruise attendants/cultural guides but the vision is to support them to continue their education so they can develop a career, not just a job.
"Down the track, they may want to choose to become a marine biologist, or a dive instructor, or drive boats and we nurture them in that space and educate them, so they create a career pathway for themselves."
The company has a focus on employing Aboriginal people from the area’s local Traditional Owner groups: the Gunggandji, Gumuy Walabaru Yidinji, Yirrganydji, Mandingalbay Yindinji and the Eastern Kuku Yalanji.
‘Because when you're talking about the area’s Indigenous culture and sharing their stories, they're the professors,’ Trevor says.
Jacob Williamson, a Kuku Yalanji and Djabugay man, began his Certificate III in Tourism whilst still in high school with a placement at Rainforestation Nature Park. He’s now a cultural guide with Reef Unlimited and has represented the company at industry trade events.
‘I talk to customers about Indigenous practices and our connection to Sea Country. It’s cool because we have so much history with the reef and all these stories.’
Jacob, 21, is still working out his career goals but is flirting with the idea of earning his dive certificate and coxswain licence, or potentially moving into tourism sales and marketing.
No matter what he decides, he feels lucky to be working in Indigenous tourism. ‘It gives me a chance to further my understanding and make me feel more empowered and more in touch with my culture.’
Want more culture? Try these experiences:
port stephens region, New South Wales
Sand Dune Adventures
Quad bike across Stockton Beach on the longest coastal sand dunes in the Southern Hemisphere in the company of an Aboriginal guide during an exciting cultural adventure that is run by the Worimi Land Council. Your Aboriginal guide will provide insights into traditional Aboriginal food and history during the adrenaline-pumping experience. Profits are poured back into the local Aboriginal community to fund employment, housing, education, health, and Elders’ programs.
cairns, far north Queensland
Mandingalbay authentic indigenous tours
Spot saltwater crocodiles and a rich variety of wildlife as you cruise through wetlands and mangrove forest on an ecotour led by Aboriginal guides. You’ll learn about the language, practices and traditional implements that are still made and used by the local Mandingalbay Yidinji people. The majority of Mandingalbay’s employees are Aboriginal and the team’s rangers, who hold qualifications in Conservation Land Management, are provided with upskilling opportunities.
broome, Western Australia
Mabu Buru Tours
You can listen to authentic cultural stories, experience dance performances, find and feast on bush foods, and enjoy a luxury boat cruise during the Broome Ultimate Aboriginal Cultural Expedition with Mabu Buru Tours.
Knowing that 50 per cent of the tour operator’s profits are donated to the Mabu Buru Foundation Ltd to help preserve Aboriginal Lore and Culture in the West Kimberley will make the experience even more enjoyable.
Share this article
