The City of Perth welcomes a World Centre for Indigenous Culture, one of the recommendations in the Committee for Perth’s Boorloo Kworp report.
As part of a two-year action plan to boost the city’s international reputation, the World Centre for Indigenous Culture will focus on First Nations tourism, heritage and cultural practices.
The concept was outlined in a Committee for Perth visioning report prepared in consultation with the Aboriginal community and other key stakeholders.
“The Centre would be a celebration of First Nations People and cultures from across the world, starting from the Whadjuk People, to be housed in a unique building to create a distinctive and positive icon for Perth,” Committee for Perth Chief Executive Marion Fulker said.
“It’s an opportunity for Perth to lead the way in demonstrating how to acknowledge, respect and celebrate Indigenous People and their culture.”
City of Perth Chair Commissioner Andrew Hammond said an appropriate location for the centre would be within the heart of the City of Perth, close to significant Aboriginal cultural sites.
“The idea for a World Centre for Indigenous Culture has been around for some time and now is the time to catalyse the vision and make it a reality,” he said.
“With a strong Whadjuk Nyoongar history and due to its location on the Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River), Perth is a place of cultural significance in Western Australia.
“It would be a powerful message of reconciliation to have a cultural centre built in a place of such significance, with many suitable and iconic locations available throughout the City of Perth.”
The City of Perth has come a long way in reconciliation over the past five years, especially with the establishment of the City’s Elders Advisory Group and progression towards an Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan.
“The City has developed strong and meaningful relationships with the City’s Elders Advisory Group, and more broadly, the Whadjuk Nyoongar community,” Chair Commissioner Andrew Hammond said.
“The development of a World Centre for Indigenous Culture in the centre of Perth would only further these relationships. Discussions with the Elders in developing actions for the Innovate RAP have seen the development of a cultural centre as a top priority for the Whadjuk Nyoongar community.
“The Bicentennial in 2029 is a perfect opportunity to progress this project towards a major milestone for the WA community. An idea like this will take all tiers of government, the private sector and the Whadjuk Nyoongar community to work closely in collaboration.”
The development of an Aboriginal cultural centre in Perth is supported and included in the City of Perth’s Reconciliation Action Plan and Cultural Development Plan.
