Balunjali Bush Skills Program

A program that is specifically designed to assist indigenous personnel to reconnect with their cultural roots through experiential learning and work experience in a tourism environment.

	The Balunjali Bush Skills Program is designed to assist indigenous individuals to reconnect with their cultural heritage by teaching practical knowledge and skills to the participant. Continuous testing of objectives supports the teaching component; to ensure a standard of confidence and retention of skills is maintained. The program assists with participant’s sense of belonging in their culture and is tailored to client ability, gender and expected outcomes of brokering organization.
	Survival Skills Taught Water locating and collecting Food recognition and obtaining natural foods Shelter locating, collecting & utilizing natural building materials Tracking and hunting techniques Tracking, observation, camouflage & stalking skills Corroboree Language through traditional song, dance, story. Traditional instruments - didgeridoo, clapsticks Bush Craft Fibre craft - string, rope, nets, bags Tools and weapons Fire-making
	The length of the program is dependent upon client knowledge, maturity and expected outcomes. This indigenous reconnection program is a very powerful tool as the skills learnt within Balunjali Bush Skills Program can be directly applied, under supervision from an indigenous mentor, in other aspects of our company. Balunjali has a wide range of activities that utilize Indigenous culture to teach practical applications to many demographics. From the community service sector this includes such activities as school camps, kayaking for disabled, and adventure based activities for youth at risk and mental health clients. In addition, Balunjali runs both half day and full day kayaking tours, utilizing both indigenous and non-indigenous guides. In essence each client will gain valuable work experience and an opportunity to share their newfound understanding of their culture in a culturally safe environment.
	Both Balunjali staff and participants are taught to respect and honour one another, and embrace diversity within a team. The group dynamic is conducive to individuals being able to learn in a safe, non-judgmental environment where cultural respect is upheld. For Further information on Balunjali Bush Skills Programs contact our Project Director This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it