Possum skin cloak story is a process that’s shared by knowledge holders in the community and can be a process of healing, connection and of storytelling for their family and journey.
The Possum Cloak Project was an initiative by Nyul Nyul man and director of Wan-Yaari Aboriginal Consultancy Services, Lowell Hunter, who had experienced first-hand the importance of a program that strengthened connections to culture and identity.
“For me growing up in community I had a lot of opportunities to connect to culture through various programs, and that was when I was growing up down on Gunditjmara Country, down in Warrnambool. I knew how important they were as a young fella and now, a bit older, knowing the impact they had on me and my family,” Lowell said.
It’s really important work and allowed me to connect to culture and strengthen my identity and learn about cultural values. Fast-forward 20-odd years and now I’m in a position to be able to give back and provide similar opportunities for community – in way of delivering cultural programs like this.
The program continues on from Wan-Yaari’s cultural strengthening program with young Aboriginal men, which is one of many services provided by the consultancy. “That program was around cultural strengthening through dance. Often what would occur is the families would come and drop the boys off, but there were still other siblings and family members missing out on the chance to learn about culture.”
The Possum Cloak Project ran over 10 weeks. At the end of the project, the families involved went home with a possum skin cloak and the knowledge of this significant cultural practice. A series of photographs were also taken to document the experience of the families and these are now on display as banners and framed photos at the Grovedale Community Centre, which was the host venue for the program.
“When I first attended the facility [in Grovedale], I think it was only a couple of years old and the newly renovated space looked like it had a lot of potential. A community hub is there for everyone to use but that gap that was missing was that there was nothing there to encourage the local Aboriginal community to go and be involved in the hub,” Lowell said.
Now with the photos on display, First Nations People and families will be able to see themselves, or someone they know, represented at the community facility.
Lowell credits one of our Healthy and Connected Communities Grants for helping him to get the program off the ground. He worked with the Grovedale Neighbourhood House on the application and is hoping it will be the start of many more programs for Aboriginal communities that are supported by the City.
Earlier this year, we worked with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation to establish the inaugural First Nations Cultural Heritage Grants for projects that preserve, protect and renew Aboriginal cultural heritage. These grants are another part of our organisation’s ongoing journey toward reconciliation, which is being guided by our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan. Another key change we’ve made is to include Wadawurrung Country in our print and digital addresses, thus acknowledging the Wadawurrung People as the Traditional Owners of the Land, Waterways and Skies.
