Book a Cultural Service
Book a First Nations cultural service
Our cultural services offer a profound opportunity to connect with and learn about the world's oldest living culture, right here in South Western Sydney.
Welcome to Country
A Welcome to Country is given by a First Nations person who comes from the specific area where the meeting or event is held.
The person giving the Welcome to Country must be an Elder or a First Nations person of significance who has received permission from the Traditional Owners to welcome visitors to their Country.
Traditional owners are welcoming visitors to the land within their cultural boundaries, which their ancestors have cared for and lived on for millennia.
This is not to be confused with an Acknowledgement of Country, which any person — Indigenous and non-Indigenous — can offer at the beginning of an event or meeting. An acknowledgement recognises that you are meeting on the land of First Nations peoples. It’s an opportunity for everyone to show respect for Traditional Owners and their connection to Country.
Welcome to Country occurs at the beginning of an event and may include a cultural performance of singing and dancing, smoking ceremonies and/or a speech.
Please explore our other services below.
To book a Welcome to Country or other cultural services, please complete the online booking form or contact the Gandangara Local Aboriginal Land Council head office for further details via email at Reception@glalc.org.au
This is a spiritual ceremony performed to cleanse the soul and ward off bad or unwanted spirits. It is a form of baptism by smoke rather than water.
These include traditional cultural dances and/or songs performed at your event or meeting by First Nations people.
Elders or Rangers give these talks, providing an educational journey into the First Nations’ history of the region. The Ranger or Elder will tell stories about hunting, diet and lifestyle, native plants and animals.
This interactive workshop brings First Nations storytelling, cultural history and presentations with artefacts and ancient weapons into your event.
Led by a First Nations ranger, you’ll explore the First Nations' history of the South Western Sydney area, including rock art, engravings, sacred sites, middens and shelters, on-site at Heathcote Ridge and on other lands we own.
You will learn how to:
- engage with Country respectfully and peacefully
- understand and appreciate our First Nation culture and heritage
- understand interconnected ecosystems, native plants and animals.
This workshop includes professional consultancy services/training in First Nations cultural protocols, lore and law, workplace relations and cultural heritage.
This engaging workshop brings interactive First Nations storytelling, arts and crafts to young people.
