Indigenous tourism has 'role' in reconciliation

Indigenous tourism in Bouddi National Park could be important for reconciliation, according to a former resident, who is now a Stockholm University post-doctoral fellow.

Dr Marnie Graham has collaborated with indigenous tourism operators around NSW to study the role indigenous tourism plays in the reconciliation process.

Her research will also cover Sweden and South Africa, where she said indigenous tours were also emerging as important "spaces for reconciliation".

"For some non-indigenous Australians, an indigenous-led tour represents the first time they have interacted with Indigenous peoples in a meaningful way, learning about country, culture, and our shared histories," Dr Graham said.

"Some of the preliminary research findings show that indigenous tour operators play a substantial role in facilitating non-indigenous Australians in taking those first steps towards reconciliation.

"We need to support indigenous tour operators in this important role and look at opportunities to grow this industry in places like Bouddi, because indigenous tourism is one of the ways forward on the reconciliation journey," she said.

When researching on the Central Coast, Dr Graham collaborated with Mr Tim Selwyn, the owner and operator of Girri Girra Aboriginal Experiences.

She said that Mr Selwyn offered residents and visitors to the Central Coast the opportunity to attend guided tours to Bouddi National Park and to Wollombi, incorporating Mount Yengo.

Dr Graham said that Mr Selwyn saw his role as sharing his culture and inviting people "to reconnect with country from an Indigenous perspective".

"We are seeing that people can be really transformed by going on an indigenous tour on country.

"That is an amazing outcome from just a two to three-hour tour," Dr Graham said.

SOURCE:

Media release, 6 Jun 2018

Dr Marnie Graham, Stockholm University