The final local NAIDOC event for 2018 was held today at the Walcha Showground hosted by Amaroo Local Aboriginal Land Council and the Walcha Aboriginal Community.
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A reconciliation march departed from McHattan Park at 10am headed for the showground. On the way, the marchers stopped at the Amaroo office to raise the Aboriginal flag on the newly installed flag pole.
Today we have awoken the spirit of our culture
- Uncle Fred Reid
On arrival at the showground, Uncle Gary Towney and his daughter Reggae gave the Welcome to Country which was followed by a Smoking Ceremony conducted by Uncle Fred Reid.
“Our people have been doing smokin’ ceremonies since time beginning,” Uncle Fred said.
“There are different reasons our people do smoking ceremonies – happy – sad – but today’s ceremony is to bring in good energy and good spirits.
“What we want to do as one mob is to unite the day and enjoy ourselves, and be positive for what we are trying to do for future generations.”
Uncle Fred then went on to say he loved the 2018 NAIDOC Week theme – Because of her – we can.
“I love it because women do a lot of good work in the community,” he said.
“We have our special women here today, and there are those past, and I think they’d be very proud of us today coming together as one. That is what we need to do – move forward as one mob.”
The Walcha Aboriginal community has had a focus on reviving local culture through dance and language classes, and the Walcha Dunghutti Dancers performed six traditional dances to kick off the day’s activities.
That is what we need to do – move forward as one mob
- Uncle Fred Reid
“I hope a lot more kids will come from community to our language centre and our dance classes because our kids are our future,” Uncle Fred said.
“Our culture, our language has been put to sleep for such a long, long time. Today we have awoken the spirit of our culture, we have awoken the spirit of our language, and with the elders of our community we are going to make sure it is going to get better and more powerful for our young ones.”
Terra Firma played while everyone enjoyed the free barbecue lunch fare and the children painted rocks, boomerangs, clap sticks and made dilly bags and dream catchers.
- See also: Our NAIDOC Week in Walcha