Communities join in celebration to mark start of NAIDOC Week

THE community marched proudly in the city’s streets yesterday to mark the start of National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week, celebrating the rich history and culture of Australia’s indigenous people.

The annual raising of the flags ceremony was held at the Cave Gardens before the march from the Main Corner to Pangula Mannamurna Aboriginal Corporation.

This year’s theme “because of her, we can” acknowledges the many contributions of Aboriginal women.

Indigenous woman of Tanganekald and Meintangk people, the traditional owners of the Coorong and lower South East of South Australia, lawyer and academic Dr Irene Watson reflected on the meaning of the significant week during the celebrations and the invaluable role women play within communities.

“NAIDOC Week is a time to come together and celebrate who we are as Aboriginal people,” Dr Watson said.

“Aboriginal women from the South East have been instrumental, they have led in establishment of our organisations and have been essential to our future survival.”

Dr Watson said strong leadership by women was a key to the survival of Aboriginal people.

“Aboriginal people are still standing and recovering from colonisation and we are proud to know who we are because of our mothers, our aunties and our grandmothers,” she said.

“The core of our survival has always been our women.”

Dr Watson said despite the week signifying many celebrations, there was still much more work to be done to repair their damaged history.

“Our history of our colonisation is one of the most brutal stories to be told and we need to be strong and we need to face that we have an obligation to tell the truth about what has happened to this land and what has happened to the first nation’s people,” she said.

“With that in mind it is beneficial to celebrate our elders past and present who have always led the way, our young people and their strengths and our connections to country.”

The South East Regional NAIDOC Awards, recognising the outstanding achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the community and beyond, were then held at Pangula Mannamurna Aboriginal Corporation.

The lifetime achievement award was presented to Eunice Saunders and accepted by her daughter Cheryle Saunders and granddaughter Kiara Woods.

“Mum was one of the co-founders of Nungas South East Organisation, which was the first Aboriginal organisation in the South East,” Ms Saunders said.

“She worked really hard within the community in regards to social justice for Aboriginal people and was truly a great role model.”

Ms Saunders said she would continue her mother’s legacy and work for the community and ensure the pride of her culture was passed down to future generations.

“It is really important to be proud of who you are,” Ms Saunders said.