NAIDOC Week unites history, culture and achievements

Linking the narrative of our nation with the experience of Dreamtime stories is this year’s NAIDOC Week theme.

Yesterday the Bunbury community marked the start of celebrations at the Graham Bricknell Memorial Music Shell with a spirit dance, raising of the flags and a welcome to country.

This year’s theme, Songlines: The living narrative of our nation, talks about the Dreamtime and stories which are linked to it.

The Yakadandjoo committee has organised a series of events in Bunbury this week and chairwoman Karen Jetta said NAIDOC week was about recognising and celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.

“This week is about reconciliation, to learn and share from experiences in our culture and work together to celebrate it,” she said.

Vice-chairwoman Cis Narkle said the committee’s focus was on getting the wider community to acknowledge the culture.

“We want this week to highlight what the culture is about and recognise how we can celebrate it together,” she said.

South West Aboriginal Medical Service chief executive officer Lesley Nelson said the centre was proud to host and support events in the community.

“The week is an opportunity for us to all come together, embrace, respect and celebrate our culture through some engaging community events and to showcase the achievements of our people,” she said.