Connecting with Culture

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Over 200 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from 21 Brisbane Catholic Education schools recently attended a one-day dance workshop run by Ngutana Lui Cultural tutors.  

The workshops were held in two locations on the Australian Catholic University campus in Nudgee and the Ngutana Lui Cultural Education Centre in Inala.  

Gracey McGrath (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Participation Officer for BCE) said this was the third dance workshop she had organised, and it grew bigger and better every year.  

“This year we added a special Didgeridoo Workshop and the boys loved it!” said Gracey.  

“It is wonderful to see this mob get together and connect through Culture.”  

“Connecting to Culture is tied to our identity, dance is not just about performing, it is the way in which we have shared our stories for tens of thousands of years – so these workshops are really important,” said Gracey.  

Year 9 Assisi College student Joshua Wright said he’d been wanting to learn the didgeridoo for a long time.  

“It was great to learn the didge from an expert like Corey (Ngutana Lui Cultural Tutor) and have a whole day to practice it,” said Joshua.  

Holly Dart, from St John’s College in Nambour, said the workshop was an amazing opportunity. 

“The dance workshop helped me to embrace my culture and connect with the people around me,” said Holly.  

“We learnt the stories behind our dance which made performing them more important. I also loved being able to learn about everyone’s story and where families came from,” she said.  

“This workshop inspired me to find out more about my mob and what my family story is.” 

With feedback like this the Cultural Dance Workshops are sure to continue as an annual event.  

Thanks to all the BCE employees who helped to make the workshops happen – Gracey McGrath, Erin Dougherty, Eric Ellis, Marlon Riley and Corey Simpson. ​ 

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