An unforgettable day on Country

In November, we spent a day with Eric and his team from Natcha Eco Tours, read on as we reflect on our time on Country.

As we arrived in Ku-ring-gai National Park, Eric invited us to rethink how we show up on Country. He encouraged us to pause, notice what was around us and be fully present. It was a welcome shift from our usual office pace, where it is easy to stay locked into tasks and miss what is happening outside our screens.

Josh then guided us through a smoking ceremony. He encouraged us to step into the smoke with intention and let the moment ground us before we continued walking. It set a different tone for the day – slower, more attentive and ready to engage with respect.

As we made our way from one cultural site to another, guided by Eric, Josh and their team, it became clear that First Nations culture is not something fixed in the past, but very much alive and vibrant today. Often the legacy of colonisation can lead us to see culture as history, and while its impacts remain deeply felt, the strength and continuity of First Nations culture, identity, and practice are ever present.

One of the most amazing parts of this cultural experience was hearing from and learning from Josh and Eric’s work with Indigenous youth in the justice system. We were privileged not just to learn from the cultural sites, but to understand how the Natcha Tong Nong Ga team brings those learnings into their work with Indigenous kids at risk. Themes of community, empathy, togetherness and responsibility came up often as core to the way they work. It was clear how much passion the team brings, dedicated to helping First Nations young people move out of the justice system and back into community.

It was so important for us to spend this time on country with the Natcha Tong Nong Ga team, not only connecting deeply to the stories and values of First Nations culture, but equally gaining insight into the deep challenges the community faces, battling with a system that denies cultural connection and rejects traditional practices of law, health, justice and agriculture.

Here at Sefa, one way we continue to build our understanding of First Nations culture and history is through our weekly acknowledgement of Country. Each week, a different team member chooses a topic connected to First Nations culture and history to research and share with the team. From learning about Indigenous astronomy to native ingredients and recent policy reforms, these moments anchor us in a practice of ongoing learning, reminding us that our responsibility is to keep showing up with curiosity and respect.

We are committed to breaking down systemic social issues, leading to better outcomes for all individuals. We’re so grateful to Eric and his team for facilitating this experience for us, it’s only the beginning of our journey of deepening our understanding and learning from lived experience.