It was a special moment as a group of visiting Americans looked north from Tathra towards Biamanga and Gulaga National Parks.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
“This view is a pathway to the body, mind and soul,” Yuin elder and council liaison officer Graham Moore told the visitors as they were welcomed to the region and a day of sharing culture in a way many have done for thousands of years.
“Part of the smoking ceremony is about welcoming and making you feel part of our group,” he said.
As school pupils formed a circle around the fire, the visitors took turns bathing themselves in the aromatic smoke.
“It’s to cleanse the bad energy out of you,” National Parks and Wildlife Service ranger Cat Thomas said before Warren Foster Sr and the Gulaga Dancers took to the school hall for a heartfelt performance.
“Back in the day we used to welcome all kinds of tribes,” Mr Foster said.
Delegation member Lee Seaman Jr enjoyed every minute of his introduction to Australian culture.
“It’s very interesting, it is really nice they incorporated the old traditions into our trip,” the retired public servant said.
“You form a view of what you think Australia will be like from all the images of the outback we see but all I’ve seen is rolling green hills and the coastline - oh my god,” he said.
Littleton sits on what was once Arapaho land and to this day has one of the local high schools named after the tribe.
“Every year the Arapaho nation comes in and blesses the school,” Mr Seaman said.
The Denver Broncos fan was wide-eyed as he described his Australian experience so far.
“Everybody has been very nice and we’ve had the chance to stay with local families which is different to other trips you might take away from home,” Mr Seaman said.
“It is much more peaceful here than back home.
“I think you have more of a sense of community than we do.
“As places get bigger they do tend to lose that sense of community,” he said.
Also on her first trip is student ambassador Gabriella Ahles who won a spot on the delegation after her mum suggested she enter a competition she spotted in her high school newsletter.
“I hadn’t really ever thought about coming to Australia until I won,” she said with a smile.