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Friday 21 March 2003, Media Release

NSWALC LAUNCHES CULTURAL AWARENESS KIT

To celebrate national Harmony Day, the NSW Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) today launched a cultural awareness kit to address the myths and facts surrounding Aboriginal people and land.

"Now, more than ever, we need positive means of combating racism and promoting national harmony," said NSWALC Chairman Les Trindall.

"After 20 years since the passing of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act there is still misunderstanding and fear about what land rights mean for Aboriginal people in NSW.

"This kit gives all Australians the chance to learn more about Aboriginal history and our relationship to land," said Mr Trindall.

The cultural awareness kit uses fact sheets and hands-on activities to challenge popular stereotypes and personal beliefs about Aboriginal people.

Topics include a history of Aboriginal dispossession; an overview of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act (1983) and its recent amendments; a history of the NSW Aboriginal Land Council; and facts and myths about native title.

The cultural awareness kit was developed by NSWALC and the Western Sydney Institute of TAFE. The project team included Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal teachers and students from the Community Services Unit of Nirimba College of TAFE, guided by a steering committee.

The Cultural Awareness Kit can be downloaded from the NSW Aboriginal Land Council website www.alc.org.au/resources/harmony/index.html

This project is proudly supported by the Commonwealth Government's Living in Harmony initiative, which aims to promote community harmony. For more information, visit www.immi.gov.au/harmony.