Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship.
Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s June 22-July 2, 2024 voyage. As part of the appointment Seabourn will make a donation to assist the Wunambal Gaambera Traditional Owners in developing authentic works of art and craft by Wunambal Gaambera artists to sell.
In addition, Seabourn will also supply the Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporation with pearl shells and various art supplies and polishing materials to foster sustainable, commercial arts and craft initiatives year-round for Wunambal Gaambera artists and craft producers.
“We, the Wunambal Gaambera people, have a communal need and responsibility to look after and prosper from our country. Seabourn’s contributions will assist us to be on country, look after and keep our land and sea country healthy, strengthen our Wanjina Wunggurr culture, and create economic opportunities for our people,” said Catherine Goonack, Chairperson of the Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporation.
“It is important we are looking after our country in the way of our Wanjina Wunggurr law. We are happy when we and our future generations are living and working on our healthy Wunambal Gaambera Country. We appreciate Seabourn’s support to us in these efforts and look forward to sharing our unique Uunguu Experience with Seabourn and their guests as the garrangarru or Godparents of the Seabourn Pursuit.”
Tourism Western Australia is also a financial contributor to the artistic enterprise.
“This is a wonderful collaboration of Wunambal Gaambera and Seabourn that is augmented by Tourism Western Australia, demonstrating our shared values and the promise of greater opportunities for Traditional Owners in the Kimberley region. We are proud to support Wunambal Gaambera’s Ngula Jar Island development as we strive to position Western Australia as the leading Australian destination for authentic Aboriginal experiences,” said Carolyn Turnbull, Managing Director of Tourism Western Australia.
“We know visitors to Western Australia — the Dream State — are seeking immersive Indigenous experiences and the work we are supporting on Ngula Jar Island will enable this to happen. The ongoing visitation fueled by premium cruise tourism operators, like Seabourn, provides the necessary market to make this initiative successful and sustainable.”
The history of the Wunambal Gaambera traces back 70,000 years in the Kimberley. They are the Traditional Owners of a region that includes Ngauwudu (Mitchell Plateau), Yirinni (Hunter River), and Ngula Jar Island (Vansittart Bay); Seabourn Pursuit will call into Ngula Jar Island during its voyages.
Meanwhile, Seabourn guests will be able to share in the Wanjina Wunggurr culture through welcome and smoking ceremonies, rock art tours, junba song and dance, and art and stories from the Uunguu Rangers.
Seabourn Pursuit’s Kimberley program consists of six 10-day voyages from Broome to Darwin (and reverse), departing between June and August 2024.
Itinerary highlights include Horizontal Falls, Montgomery Reef and King George Falls, along with an abundance of wildlife and the region’s ancient culture that dates back some 50,000 years.
