A FAR Northern organisation of Traditional Owners is striving to preserve and expand cultural connection to Country while creating employment opportunities through the Goondoi Junior Rangers Program.
Goondoi Aboriginal Arts Corporation, located on the Dyirribarra and Bagirbarra lands of Innisfail in North Queensland, serves as a hub for cultural education and environmental guardianship.
With its name drawing from the cassowary – Goondoi in the local languages – the organisation reflects the bird’s role in nurturing the ecosystem, embodying a commitment to the growth and support of Indigenous youth.
Goondoi, in partnership with Radiant Life College, has created a space where cultural identity and environmental awareness are interwoven with education, driving a mission that extends beyond the classroom to the heart of the community.
At Goondoi, the convergence of education, culture and environmental stewardship is more than a mission – it’s a movement.
At the helm of this journey is Nathanael Edwards, the principal of Radiant Life College, who envisions a learning environment where Indigenous students are seen, heard and empowered.
The College crystallises a commitment to embedding cultural heritage within education, ensuring students are anchored in their cultural identity and connected to Country while being equipped for success in the modern world.
This vision manifests vividly through initiatives like the Goondoi Junior Ranger Program.
Supported by an early investment grant from the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, this program emphasises the transfer of cultural knowledge from Elders to youth, facilitating the continuity of their rich cultural heritage through school activities and camps.
This instrumental program extends beyond the traditional classroom to the rich natural classroom of Country, where students not only earn Certificates III and IV in land and sea management but also internalise the stewardship of their environment.
It creates opportunities for young people to engage with and learn from their Elders, strengthening their connections to Country and to their culture.
Goondoi Traditional Owner and Radiant Life College Principal Nathanael Edwards said that through the Junior Rangers program they want to immerse the students into their culture.
We want them to know what their stories are and to feel connected to Country
Goondoi Traditional Owner and Radiant Life College Principal Nathanael Edwards
“And that’s what Goondoi allows us to do.”
Through collaboration with key partners like the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, Goondoi and the College engage students in practical environmental stewardship that includes both Traditional Knowledge and Western science.
These partnerships are more than just support systems; they are integral to the amplification of Goondoi’s mission.
While partners provide essential resources and expertise, it’s Goondoi and Radiant Life College that drive the narrative, making bold strides in community empowerment and environmental conservation.
The school is a nurturing ground for the next generation, offering a curriculum enriched by the cultural knowledge of the land and its significance to students’ identity.
They learn to value the role they play in the legacy of their community through hands-on involvement in meaningful projects that prepare them for the future.
In the broader context of Goondoi’s goals, this education-focused alliance is a strategic effort to prepare students not just academically but culturally, nurturing a connection with their heritage that informs their perspective and purpose.
It is through the combined strength of community, education, and strategic alliances, that Goondoi’s vision for its youth and Country thrives.
Goondoi and Radiant Life College are showing how cultural heritage and environmental consciousness can be seamlessly integrated into education and in caring for Country.
They’re building a future where Indigenous youth stand strong in their identities while actively contributing to the conservation of their Country.
It’s a partnership that not only educates but also empowers, ensuring that the next generation carries forward the legacy of their people with the knowledge and skills to make a lasting impact.
Find out more about the Goondoi Arts Aboriginal Corporation and Radiant Life College.
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