A smoking ceremony was held at Gugan Gulwan Youth Aboriginal Corporation's (GGYAC) Wanniassa site on Tuesday, however not for the most typical of reasons.
The ceremony was held to cleanse the site following its demolition.
It comes as GGYAC prepare for the construction of a new facility after providing services to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in the southern Canberran suburb for more than 30 years.
This ceremony signified the next major milestone in the delivery of the purpose-built facility, which will support the delivery of expanded services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people and families in a familiar setting.
Plans for the new facility have been developed through an inclusive co-design partnership between GGYAC and the ACT government, ensuring the design and construction process is guided by Gugan Gulwan's decades of cultural expertise and experience serving the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
ACT Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs Rachel Stephen-Smith attended the ceremony.
She said supporting GGYAC in developing a modern, fit-for-purpose facility leads to better outcomes for Indigenous people in the ACT.
"The ACT Government is committed to supporting Aboriginal community-controlled organisations to strengthen and grow, enabling them to deliver more services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Canberrans," Minister Stephen-Smith said.
"Commencement of site works will mark an important step in delivering a building that will support Gugan Gulwan, its incredible staff, and their vital work supporting Canberra's First Nations children, young people and families."
The design of the new facility was informed by consultation with individuals and families with connections and links to Gugan Gulwan, with the ACT community also provided the opportunity to provide feedback on the project through a public consultation process.
"We know Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations have unique expertise and are best placed to provide culturally safe services and to work with families in ways that best support their needs," Minister Stephen-Smith said.
"For more than 30 years Gugan Gulwan has supported Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people and their families in the ACT to thrive and succeed.
"An expanded purpose-built facility will ensure Gugan Gulwan can continue to provide these excellent services to meet the needs of the community into the future."
Key features of the new facility include a reception area, staff workspaces, youth work and homework spaces, function and exhibition spaces, art and music facilities and indoor and outdoor play areas.
GGYAC will remain operational throughout the project after temporarily relocating to Erindale Business Park, 2 Lansell Circuit, Wanniassa.
The outcome of the tender process to construct the facility will be announced in the coming weeks.
