CDU students get a taste of culture at First Nations festival

Charles Darwin University (CDU) students got a taste of First Nations culture at the recent Daminmin festival held at the Pudakul Billabong, on Limilngan-Wulna country.

Spanning two days, the event provided a unique opportunity for attendees to immerse themselves in First Nations cultural and art practices.

CDU PhD candidate Vanessa Solano-Rivera said they were thrilled to have welcomed a diverse range of students to the annual festival.

 “It was particularly inspiring to witness the participation of international students who had never experienced a First Nations festival before,” Ms Solano-Rivera said.

“By fostering connections with First Nations communities, this project not only promoted cultural awareness but also recognised the invaluable scientific knowledge they generously share with our staff and students.”

Students actively engaged in various activities, including enlightening bush walks, sampling traditional bush tucker, and immersive workshops.

These workshops encompassed the crafting of clapping sticks, as well as learning the intricate art of colouring fabric with natural dyes.

Inspired NT and the CDU Faculty of Science and Technology were also present, with Dr Penny Wurm and Dr Sean Bellairs presenting their Wild Rice Project and Dr Cat Kutay showcasing VR headsets.

CDU Director of Student Engagement Sarah Fletcher highlighted the importance of international students learning about First Nations culture in the NT.

"At CDU, we recognise the importance of engaging in reciprocal knowledge-sharing with First Nations communities, Ms Fletcher said.

“The annual festival provides an invaluable opportunity for our students, especially international students, to gain firsthand experience of the diverse cultural activities practiced on Limilngan-Wulna country for thousands of years.”

The successful implementation of the two-way STEM learning experience at the Daminmin Festival was made possible through the support of the Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program (HEPPP).