One of Australia's favourite singers, Torres Strait Islander performer, Christine Anu, delighted students and staff at Kogarah High School on Tuesday, in celebration of NAIDOC Week.
The audience sang, danced and clapped along as Anu wowed them with some of her best known songs including My Island Home. She also spoke of stories of her family and cultural connections to her songs.
The theme of this year's NAIDOC Week is 'voice, treaty, truth' - working together for a shared future. It acknowledges that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have always wanted an enhanced role in decision-making in Australia's democracy.
This year has been identified by the United Nations as the International Year of Indigenous Languages.
Kogarah High teacher Glenn Hokin said the performance was a timely reminder of the importance of Aboriginal languages in Australia and the need to revive them.
"It was an extraordinary experience for the students and staff to listen to Christine Anu," he said.
"Listening to her reminded us of how important it is that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a voice and it made us reflect on how long it has been denied to Indigenous people in Australia.
"There must be a First Nations Voice to Parliament enshrined in the Constitution and a Makarrata Commission to supervise treaty processes and truth-telling."
Year 7 student, Leilani Simon, said "as an Aboriginal girl it was fantastic to hear Christine Anu speak in her own language."
Fatima Aidibi of year 11 described the performance as "beautiful and inspirational."
