Aboriginal artists showing off their skills and the sound of didgeridoos will soon be a feature of a new shop front in Darwin’s CBD.
The Larrakia Host program will begin operating from a shop front in the Smith Street Mall next week as part of the tri-partisan City Deal signed by the Northern Territory, Australian Governments and City of Darwin late last year.
City Deal is a historic 10-year $200m program that will attract visitors to the CBD, create subsequent jobs and boost the economy. Under the deal, the Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation (LNAC) has received $2m for the Larrakia Host program, which will bring Larrakia culture into the Darwin CBD.
Chief Minister Michael Gunner today met some of the 12 Larrakia Hosts who will be trained in a range of LNAC programs that will help to:
promote the Larrakia culture to tourists (including cruise ships) and local residents
provide a referral service to other programs - including the recently expanded Day Patrol
remind visitors from other communities about acceptable behaviour on Larrakia country
Also on display at the shopfront will be information about the Larrakia people, their history and their culture through a mixture of static and audio visual mediums. Artists and musicians will add vibrancy to the base where tourists and visitors can learn more about Larrakia culture.
The Larrakia Host program is part of a suite of outreach services known as Larrakia Assist, which also includes Day Patrol and Territory Connect (Return to Country) programs.
Quotes from Chief Minister Michael Gunner
“Not only will the Larrakia Host program support tourism and subsequent jobs but it will also help to provide employment for Aboriginal Territorians while preserving and promoting Larrakia culture.
"Curbing anti-social behaviour will be a positive outcome from the work of the Larrakia Hosts, ensuring a welcoming and vibrant city for locals and tourists to enjoy.”
Quote from Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation Chairman Richard Fejo
“This is an exciting day for the Larrakia people. It is the first time we have had a premises in the city centre where we can put the Larrakia culture on display, and where we can provide education and information on the earliest inhabitants of the region to new residents and visitors.”
Quote from Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation CEO Robert Cooper
“We hope the foresight of the three tiers of Government in supporting this initiative will pay dividends through the long term involvement of the Larrakia people in tourism and cultural promotion in the city, and will provide the groundwork for occupation of the proposed Larrakia Cultural Centre.”
Media contact: Cameron Angus 0404 021 192