NAIDOC Week 2016 coincides with the school holidays, giving families a great opportunity for families to participate and learn more about Sutherland Shire’s local Aboriginal heritage.
And it will give them the chance to be able to learn directly from our local Aboriginal Elders about the important customs and culture the shire’s Indigenous ancestors.
Kurranulla Aboriginal Corporation will host the NAIDOC Week celebrations at Gunnamatta Park Pavilion, Cronulla on Thursday, July 7 with the theme ‘Songlines: The Living Narrative of our Nation”.
The formal part of the event begins at 10am with a flag raising ceremony and Welcome to Country as well as Aboriginal dance and didgeridoo performances.
This year close to 100 children from council’s Vacation Care program and Long Day Care Centres will be taking part in the NAIDOC interactive and fun activities.
There will be native animals from Symbio Wildlife Park and performances from Aboriginal dance group, Descendance.
Supported by Sutherland Shire Council, mayor Carmelo Pesce said NAIDOC Week was a chance to recognise the valuable contribution that indigenous people make to Australia’s national identity.
“Council is proud to support and celebrate NAIDOC Week each year to recognise and explore the oldest continuing culture on the planet,’’ Cr Pesce said.
“Being able to learn directly from our local Aboriginal Elders about the important customs and culture the shire’s Indigenous ancestors at NAIDOC Week is a wonderful opportunity,” he said.
Kurranulla Aboriginal Corporation manager, Maxine Hodges said the event was also a great opportunity to come and see fantastic artwork by local Aboriginal artists with artworks available to purchase on the day.
“These artworks reflect the strong cultural ties to the artist community,” Ms Hodges said.
The 2016 NAIDOC theme, ‘Songlines: the Living Narrative of our Nation’, explores the songlines that record the travels of Australia’s ancestral spirits who 'sang' the land into life.
The theme explores how Australia’s Songlines connect people to Country and the Country to people and celebrate the rich history and diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
