Aboriginal community organisations across NSW will host initiatives designed to celebrate and strengthen Aboriginal cultures through the Minns Labor Government's NSW Cultural Grants program.
The $1.5 million program will support 85 local Aboriginal organisations to deliver community-led events that strengthen, protect and maintain Aboriginal cultures across NSW.
From celebrations of storytelling, dance and art practices, to programs that strengthen and preserve languages and cultural knowledge, funded projects reflect the strength and diversity of Aboriginal cultures in NSW.
The successful grant recipients include:
- 'Yuwaalaraay Winangaylanha Walaaybaa' to support Elders and language teachers in teaching, revitalising and preserving Culture with young people in Lightning Ridge on Yuwaalaraay Country.
- '2026 Aboriginal Rangers Gathering' in Tamworth, on Gomeroi Country, for Ranger groups from across NSW to share ecological and environmental cultural knowledge and practice.
- 'Maliyaangaa Ngurra' - a project to publish the 'Eagles Nest Creation Story of the Marshes' in Wayilwan language and English, preserving culturally authorised knowledge of the Macquarie Marshes, near Quambone on Wayilwan Country.
- 'Nyiirun Djiyagan Wakulda' - an event that brings Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women of all ages together to celebrate Aboriginal culture, storytelling, dance, song, language and art practices in Port Macquarie on Birpai Country.
- 'Culturally Grounded Healing: Strengthening Mob Through Culture & Holistic Wellbeing' to support the delivery of a community-led suite of culturally safe programs empowering First Nations people to strengthen identity, wellbeing and connection in Bankstown, on Darug Country.
- Strength Through Sharing - a series of workshops where participants will work on possum skins, clapsticks, shell art and more, facilitated by Elders and focused on sharing cultural knowledges with Aboriginal women of all ages in Port Kembla, on Dharawal Country.
- 'Wamba Wamba Connecting Community Project' to support the delivery of cultural gatherings that facilitate meaningful engagement with Culture, Elders and Country in the Murray River region, on Wamba Wamba Country.
- 'The Kinnection Project' to support and empower Aboriginal young people through knowledge sharing, cultural practices and activities in Maitland on Wanarruwa Country.
To see a full list of 2026 grant recipients, visit: https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/aboriginal-affairs-nsw-cultural-grants-program/recipients
Strengthening Aboriginal cultures is a key outcome of Closing the Gap, specifically Target 16 - Cultures and languages are strong, supported and flourishing.
For more information about upcoming Aboriginal Affairs NSW grant opportunities, visit www.nsw.gov.au/living-nsw/aboriginal-outcomes/grants-and-funding
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:
"Aboriginal communities know best how to protect and celebrate Culture, and we are privileged to walk alongside them to back locally-led events.
"These grants provide funding support for everything from gatherings on Country to cultural knowledge publications, helping communities share, preserve and protect intergenerational knowledge.
"The NSW Government is proud to support Aboriginal people and communities, providing resources that support self-determination and the strengthening, protection, and sharing of cultural heritage."
Crystal Mahoney, CEO of Barriekneal Housing & Community Ltd (Yuwaalaraay Winangaylanha Walaaybaa, in Lightning Ridge), said:
"This grant provides a vital bridge between our Elders and youth to preserve the rich heritage of the Yuwaalaraay people.
"Teaching language, bush tucker preparation, and ceremony on Country builds irreplaceable leadership skills in our next generations.
"We are actively securing our cultural future by creating resources that will educate the wider community for years to come."
Fiona Snape, CEO, Tamworth Local Aboriginal Land Council (2026 Aboriginal Rangers Gathering), said:
"This vital support from Aboriginal Affairs NSW allows us to bring together Ranger teams from across NSW for a week-long, on-Country exchange.
"By sharing traditional land management practices and exchanging stories from desert, coastal, riverine, and woodland regions, our Rangers strengthen their collective commitment to Caring for Country.
"This Gathering is a powerful space where ancient knowledge meets modern practice, ensuring our Rangers return to their home communities inspired and equipped to keep our living culture thriving for generations to come."
Nyimirr (Fleur Magick Dennis), senior cultural educator and co-founder of Milan Dhiiyaan, said:
"This grant allows us to document and share the Maliyaangaa Ngurra creation story, preserving the deep history of the Macquarie Marshes in both Wayilwan and English for future generations.
"Delivering this resource for free across the Quambone region ensures geographic and socio-economic barriers do not block access to our cultural knowledge.
"It is a proud step forward for Wayilwan language preservation and community-led cultural continuity."
