Aboriginal Rangers teach valued culture to next generation for NAIDOC Week

Schools across the South West are learning valuable lessons in culture and history through the Parks and Wildlife Services’ Aboriginal Ranger and Nearer to Nature programs. Clifton Park Primary School students were the latest to experience the educational programs on Friday as part of their ongoing NAIDOC Week celebrations. The Parks and Wildlife service-run programs involve Aboriginal Rangers educating students on Indigenous culture and history, including hunting methods, bush tucker and traditional medicine, and the importance of environmental sustainability. The students at Clifton Park Primary were taught about the Noongar words for native Australian flora and fauna, as well how important nature is to Indigenous culture. Parks and Wildlife Ranger and former Clifton Park student Ryley Clarke said Indigenous history was not taught when she was in primary school. “It’s really inspirational actually,” she said. “Being able to teach the kids something I didn’t get taught and had to learn throughout my years.” Miss Clarke said the reception from the kids has been phenomenal. “They love it,” she said. “We get asked to come every year, and we try and do something different every year. They thrive off it. “They get a baseline of Aboriginal or Noongar culture, which is actually pretty beneficial.” Clifton Park Primary had spent the week celebrating NAIDOC Week with local elders raising the Aboriginal flag on school grounds on Monday, August 7 as well as classes on history, art, and culture.