International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) has launched ‘Yarning Circles’ to mark National Aboriginal and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week.
Delivered in collaboration with its community partners KARI, Yarning Circles will introduce the venue’s team to a range of traditional Aboriginal cultural practices including weaving, artefact making, dance, stories and conversations. The Yarning Cirlcles will be held on the first Tuesday of every month until December.
The weaving workshop was delivered by KARI’s Anna Gannon and attended by Dharawal Elder Aunty Maxine Ryan.
ICC Sydney will broaden participation in the Yarning Circles events to include event organisers interested in introducing these engagement activities into their events.
ICC Sydney CEO Geoff Donaghy said he hoped that this project demonstrated another way in which the venue team was committed to reconciliation.
“Our gratitude goes to KARI and the First Nations Elders who have taken the time to share knowledge with our team from our pre-opening period right through to this week’s Yarning Circle,” he said.
“ICC Sydney strives to truly reconcile with First Nations People through our business practices and the commitments we have made through our second Reconciliation Action Plan.
“Through Yarning Circles, we aim to build cultural competency in our team members, and to educate and inspire our clients, visitors and local community to do the same.
“In time, and through our Legacy Program, we hope to inspire event planners to engage KARI to provide this dynamic and enriching experience for their attendees as they tap into the profound resource of First Nations Elders.”
Cain Slater, chief operating officer of the KARI, said it was an honour to work collaboratively with the team at ICC Sydney on creating the Yarning Circles event series.
“As a long time partner of ICC Sydney, KARI welcomed this opportunity to deepen our relationship with the team to deliver Yarning Circles where we will introduce visitors to the traditions of our revered Elders and broader community,” Slater said.
