ICC Sydney and KARI Foundation collaborate to ensure culture drives change for staff and events
Today Aunty Maxine, Anna, and I had the honor of exclusively collaborating with ICC Sydney to create the culturally inclusive Yarning Circles event. KARI, being a long-time partner of ICC Sydney, saw this as a valuable opportunity to deepen their relationship and introduce visitors to the traditions of the revered Elders and the broader Aboriginal community.
The New South Wales Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty, The Hon. David Harris, welcomed the activation, recognizing its significance in connecting visitors to the rich culture of First Nations People. He emphasized that sharing stories of people and place was central to the government's approach to reconciliation, and ICC Sydney's Yarning Circles, in partnership with KARI, provided a compelling opportunity to support this journey.
NAIDOC Week, a time to recognize the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, focused this year on the theme 'For Our Elders.' This theme highlighted the fundamental role Elders play in First Nations communities.
The Yarning Circles officially kicked off, with sessions scheduled for the first Tuesday of every month until December 2023. These sessions aimed to build cultural awareness among ICC Sydney's team members by introducing them to various traditional Aboriginal practices, including weaving, artifact making, dance, and storytelling. Today’s weaving workshop provided the venue team with a unique opportunity to learn the ancient art of weaving directly from Aboriginal artists. It allowed them not only to practice this skill but also to engage in conversations and learn from the artists' stories and experiences.
ICC Sydney's commitment to fostering a connection with First Nations Elders and their knowledge through Yarning Circles exemplified their dedication to reconciliation. The initiative aimed to create a bridge between the venue's team members and the vibrant cultural heritage of the Gadigal people and other Traditional Owners of the land. By embracing the wisdom of the Elders and their contemporary lived experiences, ICC Sydney hoped to inspire event planners to engage KARI and provide attendees with an enriching and dynamic cultural experience.
Through initiatives like Yarning Circles, ICC Sydney aimed to create an inclusive and respectful space that celebrated the rich diversity and heritage of Australia's First Nations Peoples. As the Yarning Circles continued to unfold, it was clear that ICC Sydney was taking significant strides towards fostering genuine reconciliation and deepening the understanding and appreciation of First Nations cultures among its team members and visitors.