Immersing ourselves in Yolŋu culture

For the last ten years, students and staff from Loreto Kirribilli have had the opportunity to be part of an annual Verity Immersion to East Arnhem Land. Immersion is a learning experience where Indigenous knowledge is understood, not through a glass window or on a school stage, but first-hand by being invited into the cultural processes of the Yolngu. Yolŋu are the traditional custodians of north-eastern Arnhem Land, Northern Territory. Yolŋu culture is one of the oldest cultures on earth, stretching back over 80,000 years.

This year’s Verity Immersion took place in the first week of the July school holidays. The experience had a deep impact on the 47 Year 11 participants, who recorded their reactions to the trip in personal journals.

“.. sitting around the fire in Bukudal with the Yolŋu Elders, listening as they shared stories about their land, ancestry and spirituality … it made me realise how much we can learn from Indigenous ways of knowing, especially about sustainability, community and care for creation.”
Emma

“My understanding of First Nations people grew as well, helping me understand how colonisation impacted them and how it’s still evident today. It made me a more empathetic and grateful person, and I will never forget this experience.”
Madison

Experiencing firsthand the culture and livelihood of Aboriginal people, and particularly the Yolŋu people, opened my eyes to a side of Australia that I had never before experienced.
Hailey

Helen Thomas
Director of Mission, Loreto Kirribilli