Holy Spirit Primary School in Nicholls recently opened its bush tucker garden as part of the school’s Aboriginal Education Strategic Plan to improve Indigenous cultural understandings and interdependence of the environment.

During the planning process, Greening Australia taught students about native plants, food sources and the seasonal migration of the Ngunnawal people. Students tasted a variety of plants and food sources and made bush tea.

The Bush Tucker Garden has enabled students to develop a deeper understanding of how the Ngunnawal clans traditionally travelled across their lands according to seasonal food sources, trade partnerships with neighbouring nations, and how ceremonies honoured their relationship with the land and creator spirits.

Holy Spirit Principal Brad Gaynor said that the school community is proud to have an Indigenous bush tucker garden.

“Students were introduced to the notion that caring for the environment is the basis for much of traditional Ngunnawal life,” he said.

“This involves a strong relationship between people and the land based on respect, obligation and interdependence, and an intimate knowledge of the land. Students are encouraged to continue this legacy.”

At the official opening of the bush tucker garden, Ngunnawal elder Wally Bell performed a Welcome to Country and a cleansing ceremony in front of the school and Parish community, involving the school’s indigenous students.

The bush tucker garden project was a combined effort between the school and Rotary Club of Gungahlin, Rotary Club of Hall, Rotaract Club of the University of Canberra and Greening Australia.