Are there any travel experiences in Australia that offer aboriginal (or Torres Strait) “cultural immersion”?
I am wondering if it's possible for a traveller in Australia to immerse in aboriginal culture, or Torres Strait Islander culture.
By "immerse" I mean stay in a traditional aboriginal area where people speak the language on an everyday basis and generally live to some degree or other in a traditional way. Maybe including staying with a family and being taught some traditional skills or otherwise participating in daily life.
I'm from Australia and work in tourism and I think it's safe to say most Aussies would have no idea if you can do this. But it's a big country and we're pretty ignorant of our native culture.
For me the language aspect is important. I do know the most actively maintained indigenous languages in Australia are in Central Australia (Pitjantjara, Arrernte, Warlpiri) and Torres Strait (Kala Lagaw Ya). I also believe that traditional culture and language is practiced in Arnhem Land by the Yolngu people. But I have no idea about the state of tourism in those areas.
Best Answer
There are a number of "centers" in Australia that offer an aboriginal cultural immersion program. Here is a list of some in the North:
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/australia/0212020858.html
For points further south (.e.g. New South Wales), there is the Edmund Rice Center.
http://www.erc.org.au/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=124
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