The feeling of community and keeping culture alive for generations to come was strong when people gathered at Jubilee Park for Mununjali NAIDOC Day recently.
The July 4 event was part of milestone celebrations nationally, under the theme ‘50 years of deadly’.
A smoking ceremony and traditional dances were a highlight of the day, which also included children’s activities, community stalls and live music.
Organiser Robbie Antcliff spoke with feeling about the meaning of the day.
“I stand before you today with deep respect and gratitude, acknowledging the traditional custodians of this land, the Mununjali people, and pay my respects to their Elders past, present, and emerging,” she said.
“The theme (50 years of deadly) marks five decades since the National NAIDOC Committee was fully taken over by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and expanded from a single day of protest into a national week-long celebration.
“Our strength lies in our connection to Country, to each other, and to the rich tapestry of traditions that define us.
“It is found in the stories passed down through generations, in the songs that echo our history, and in the dances that celebrate our identity.
“Our strength is not just in surviving but in thriving, in standing tall and proud, and in embracing who we are with unwavering confidence.
“We are the land, and the land is us. As we celebrate NAIDOC Week, let us honour our past, embrace our present, and look forward to a future shaped by a thriving generation.”
Ms Antcliff, on behalf of Mununjali Housing and Development Company, thanked the stall holders, staff, community, dancers, jarjums and sponsors who helped make the event a success.
More photos at beaudesertbulletin.com.
