Young Catholics from around the world are set to experience Australia's Indigenous culture first hand during World Youth Day Sydney 2008 (WYD08).

WYD08 organisers have been eager from the outset to engage Indigenous youth and to ensure appropriate guidance and advice from the Indigenous community.

A 17-person Indigenous Communities Advisory Committee, made up of representatives from across the land, was established in early 2006 to guide the Indigenous elements of WYD08 and to encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to come to Sydney for the event.

"Indigenous themes, symbols and colours will permeate WYD08 events and allow our visitors to experience the wonderful culture and history of Australia's Indigenous," said committee chairman Bishop Christopher Saunders.

Among the key Indigenous elements planned for WYD08 are:

• a welcome to country by Indigenous elders for Pope Benedict XVI
• vestments featuring Indigenous colours & designs for all bishops & cardinals
• Indigenous musicians and dancers performing for Pope Benedict
• Indigenous artists at the Youth Festival, and
• religious artworks by Gumbaingirr/Dhungutti artist and Blake Prize finalist Richard Campbell.

To encourage participation and extend an appropriate welcome, an Indigenous message stick from the Sydney community has accompanied the WYD Cross and Icon of Our Lady in their journey around Australia, inviting young Indigenous people to Sydney for the event.

"We welcome Pope Benedict and the many young Catholics coming here to celebrate their faith on this land," said Sydney community leader Elsie Heiss.

"WYD08 will draw the attention of the world to this Great South Land and its people. It will be a marvellous opportunity to show the Indigenous face of the Catholic Church in Australia," she said.

Sydney will host the 23rd World Youth Day from 15-20 July. Organised by the Catholic Church but open to all, WYD08 is expected to attract 500,000 to the Final Mass, presided by Pope Benedict XVI.

Only 89 days to go to WYD08!