Koorie education and engagement

SMOKING CEREMONY

This week, Koorie students were invited to experience a smoking ceremony by Lionel of Living Culture Ltd.  They were welcome to bring along a friend to share this special healing and cleansing ceremony.

Lionel’s smoking ceremonies use three plants that are used in ritual on Bunurong Country.

Properties of these plants protect guests both physically and spiritually. A smoking can be used in welcome, celebration, birth, deaths, to cleanse bad energy and spirits.

MEETING PLACE

EMC worked last year with our Koorie students, particularly Aidan in Year 12 2020, to start making the idea happen, including meeting with the Bunurong Land Council CEO Dan Turnbull. Unfortunately because of COVID restrictions, we didn’t get a chance to do much. We are developing it as part of our Reconciliation Action Plan. We did however, manage to excavate and remove all the non Indigenous plants and install some large rocks for seating.  

In the first week back of Term 2, Lionel from Living Culture inspected the site and help plan the design with our students, and work with them to bring it to life.  

On Friday 16 July (first week back on Term 3), we will be going to The Briars Nursery to collect the plants listed.  All Koorie students will also have the opportunity to help landscape the garden once we’re ready to plant.  

We are 1 of 13 schools in Victoria who have an endorsed Reconciliation Action Plan (meaning, the local Aboriginal Traditional Owners, the Bunurong Land Council, have approved our RAP). The action within our RAP is that EMC should physically and visibly demonstrate respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and contributions in the school environment. This will reinforce work towards reconciliation through the incorporation of meaningful, relevant and culturally appropriate art, artefacts and symbolism into learning environments. It will also make our intentions and actions clear to our students, parents and the broader community. 

By having a safe space for students and the community to meet and celebrate their culture, right at the front of the College, everyone can see that we have respect for, and recognition of, our First Peoples. It promotes a sense of community partnership and is a public commitment toward reconciliation.