CDU has completed the renaming of its four Indigenous units with the centre at the Katherine campus receiving a traditional name at a recent ceremony.
The renaming ceremonies highlight the culturally appropriate physical and intellectual study environment provided by CDU’s Indigenous Academic Support Unit (IASU) for Indigenous students.
Coordinator of the IASU, Roz Angeles said the renaming ceremonies reflected the University’s commitment to promoting Indigenous participation and relevance.
The centre at the Katherine campus will be named Yangan.garr (pronounced Yahng-ahn-gahrr).
The Indigenous centres at the Casuarina (Gurinbey), Palmerston (Duwun) and Alice Springs (Akaltye) campuses were renamed during similar ceremonies at the end of last year.
Ms Angeles said the development and naming of the Indigenous centres was significant and the names had been allocated to help reinforce CDU’s commitment to providing a culturally safe environment where Indigenous students studying at either higher education or vocational education and training (VET) levels received appropriate support during their learning journey.
She said that Yangan.garr, the traditional Jawoyn name for “learning place”, had been identified following CDU’s observance of appropriate cultural protocol and extensive consultation with senior Jawoyn people.
“The University undertook a consultative process with senior members of the Jawoyn Association to raise community awareness of the history of the land upon which Katherine campus is built,” Ms Angeles said.
“Through the efforts of committed staff, the IASU helps Indigenous students to adapt to the university environment and gain a better understanding of what is required of them to undertake a higher education or VET course.”