Barrinang Aboriginal Corporation hosted its NAIDOC event on Saturday, November 7 and November 14.
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Members of the community came together to partake in craft activities, with the main feature being the making of a possum skin cloak.
The possum skins were sourced from New Zealand where they are classified as a pest and currently posing a serious threat to native flora and fauna.
Under the guidance of Aunty Diane Pirotta and Leanne Windle, the collaborative making of the possum skin cloak involved a diverse section of the community, from primary school aged children to those in their 80s.
Spokesperson for Barrinang Karen Brown said possum skin cloaks were once an everyday item for the Wiradjuri people and an important cultural practice that has been lost.
"Traditionally possum skin cloaks were made and worn by Aboriginal people and were the first form of patchwork, sewn together with kangaroo sinew using a herringbone stitch," she said.
"They were made for warmth and protection as well as for ceremonial purposes.
"A cloak was made for a new-born baby recording kinship and totems, ceremonies and initiations, with a new piece being added to the skin with each significant life experience, the owner was then usually buried in it," Mrs Brown said.
Each of the workshops commenced with a Welcome to Country and a cleansing smoking ceremony.
Participants enjoyed being involved in the cleansing smoking ceremonies as it helped them leave behind their troubles and look forward to new beginnings, Mrs Brown said.
"This is such an important cultural event, as practising the age old crafts soothes the mind and assists people to heal, while creating an informal support network and reducing isolation within the community," Mrs Brown said.
"This project enabled the coming together of community to learn a significant cultural skill and to build community connections," she said.
The activity was funded by Wentworth Healthcare, provider of the Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network, as part of the Australia Government's 'Empowering our Communities' initiative.