Go Cultural's Walter McGuire starts the Smoking Ceremony.
Last week, members of the community, Embrace community partner organisations, and staff gathered at Kings Park for Healing Tree, an experiential learning event celebrating Aboriginal culture and social and emotional wellbeing.
At this free event, approximately 100 attendees came together to celebrate Aboriginal connections to culture, community and country, and to spark conversations about a path forward following the referendum on an Aboriginal Voice to Parliament.
Community members, partner organisations and staff learnt about Noongar history and connection to the land, participated in yarning circles, listened to music and painted leaves for display on the Healing Tree, under the artistic guidance of The Kids staff.
The Kids Executive Director Professor Jonathan Carapetis AM opened proceedings alongside Embrace Co-Director Professor Helen Milroy AM, before a Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country from Go Cultural founder Walter McGuire.
In an opinion article for The West Australian leading up to the event, Professor Milroy wrote that “it is important to bring people together, to share, to yarn, to experience healing together and support our individual and collective sense of wellbeing”.
Collective experiences can increase trust, social connection and cohesion, safety and hope as well as nurture compassion. It gives everyone a sense of belonging and a shared future.
Yarning circles, which were facilitated by staff from Embrace and across The Kids’ Aboriginal Staff Network, included discussions about the meaning of culture, the importance of resilience, and ways for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians to work together towards better health and wellbeing outcomes for young people.
The Healing Tree is now on display in the Discovery Centre at Perth Children’s Hospital. A painting session for kids visiting Perth Children’s Hospital is scheduled for Monday 16 December.
Embrace also produced a video on Aboriginal considerations of social and emotional wellbeing that was played at the event. You can watch this short video here.
Embrace is supported by principal partner Rio Tinto.
This event was organized by The Kids Research Institute Australia Embrace team and Kulunga Aboriginal Unit.
Embrace Co-Director Professor Helen Milroy AM underneath the Healing Tree.