Renowned dancer and choreographer from the Wagana Dance Co Jo Clancy shared two Aboriginal dances with a group of Aboriginal girls from Lithgow High School as well as staff and community members.

The girls who joined in are students who have participated in previous SistaSpeak programs and the new ‘Big Sista’ program.

Students and staff from Portland Central and St Mary’s Senior High School in Sydney also participated.

It was the first dance to be performed in the garden’s new Aboriginal dance space, which was made especially for cultural dance with funds kindly donated from Lithgow Council.

The session commenced in the yarning circle, with Jo sharing her knowledge of culture with the group and also providing welcome advice on how to develop positive teenage self-esteem.

It was a beautiful day and everyone enjoyed taking their shoes off and dancing in the sand.

Jo taught the ‘Clearing’ dance and the ‘Dragonfly’ dance.

The ‘Clearing’ dance is a traditional dance used to clear a space of negative energy and is performed before any other dances.

The ‘Dragonfly’ dance was especially created by Jo and celebrates the unique spirit and beauty of dragonflies.

While the girls were performing the dance, a dragonfly flew through the group and this was felt to be a blessing on the dance.

Jo returned recently to continue sharing cultural dance.

The girls will be developing a unique dance with her guidance they will be able to perform at special events such as NAIDOC celebrations.

Tentatively called ‘I Am’, the dance will celebrate identity, sisterhood and the many language groups the women from Lithgow belong to.

While there are many Wiradjuri students in the Lithgow High School community, there are also students from Dharug, Gamillaroi, Gundungurra and other nation groups.

The dance experience was hugely enjoyed by all and seemed to bring all the participants closer together.

Rosie Galloway, Norta Norta Teacher