MOUNT Gambier City Council will join with Pangula Mannamurna and Burrandies Aboriginal Corporations to celebrate the history and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and highlight the importance of languages during NAIDOC Week from July 2 to 9.
The theme Our Languages Matter aims to emphasise the essential role indigenous languages play in cultural identity and imparting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, spirituality and rites, through story and song.
The annual flag raising ceremony will be held at the Cave Garden on July 3 at 10am, followed by the traditional march down Commercial Street to Pangula Mannamurna for the NAIDOC awards ceremony and community lunch with a special performance by the Winda-Mara Dancers.
SA Ambulance will host a NAIDOC community morning tea at the Crouch Street South Ambulance Station on July 4 between 10.30am and 12pm.
City Council community engagement coordinator Kristi Leamey said Storytime at the Library at 10.30am on July 4 will feature Boandik woman Brooke Joy and Boandik Elder aunty Michelle Jacquelin-Furr, while the book Seasons of Boandik Country will be launched at the library at 6.30pm that evening.
“The book showcases the Boandik perspectives on the seasons and how they have been an important part of life for thousands of years,” Ms Leamey said.
“It explores the landscapes of the Limestone Coast, changes in seasons and the importance of conservation.
“A collaboration between Sarah McCarthy, uncle Ken Jones and aunty Penny Bonney, this beautiful book was illustrated with images of felt paintings made by the children of Berrin at Grant High School.
“The poetry was translated into Bunganditj by Brooke Joy.”
A NAIDOC culture day will be held at Pangula Mannamurna on July 5, between 10am and 2pm.
Activities will include a Bunganditj language program, limestone carving, arts and crafts and children’s activities.
A NAIDOC movie night will be held in the Dress Circle at the Main Corner on July 7.
The Secret Life of Pets (G) will be screened at 5pm and The Sapphires (PG) will be screened at 7pm.
The final NAIDOC week event the Living Book with aunty Val Brennan will be held at the Mount Gambier Library on July 8 at 11am.
Aunty Val will share a chapter of her life, exposing culture, heritage and family.
