CELEBRATIONS to recognise the South East’s rich indigenous history and culture started yesterday with the launch of NAIDOC Week in Mount Gambier.
Despite wet and cold conditions, a large crowd gathered on Boandik country at the Cave Gardens for the flag raising ceremony hosted by Burrandies Aboriginal Corporation.
Burrandies chief executive officer Robyn Campbell greeted the crowd before Aunty Penny Bonney gave members of the public a traditional welcome to country.
Ms Campbell then highlighted the national theme of NAIDOC Week for 2017.
“This year’s national NAIDOC theme – Our Languages Matter – aims to emphasise and celebrate the unique and central role that our languages play in our Aboriginal identity,” she said.
“Language connects us to the land, our mother, our water, our laws and our spirituality through the telling of our stories and songs.”
Ms Campbell explained the disconnection people have experienced from their Aboriginal identity and tireless work to retrieve ancient languages.
“Past policies prevented our old people from speaking their native tongue, resulting in our disconnection from our Aboriginal identity and our spiritual connection to country for what science says was for over 60,000 years and we say it is since the first sunrise,” Ms Campbell said.
“Now post the impact of colonial dispossession, we are gradually retrieving our ancient languages.”
After briefly outlining the process undertaken in the revival of languages, a special presentation was held to present several Boandik elders with Bunganditj dictionaries.
Mayor Andrew Lee spoke briefly about the special week to emphasise Aboriginal identity before helping raise the Australian and Aboriginal flags to mark the beginning of NAIDOC Week.
Following the service, the large crowd in attendance marched along Commercial Street holding banners to represent their culture before arriving at Pangula Mannamurna Aboriginal Corporation for an awards ceremony.
Other events and workshops will be held in Mount Gambier throughout NAIDOC Week.
