Dance group promotes Kamilaroi cultural identity

Above: The dance group, Chris Clark, Jaylan Sharply, Blake Boney (back) Tasharny Clark, Noel Lettice, Noel Lettice Junior, co-ordinator Patti Lettice, Jamarl Zarka, back, Krista Zarka and Isaiah Cochrane.

Young people in Narrabri are embracing the Kamilaroi cultural heritage of song and dance with the guidance of Narrabri’s Patti Lettice and others, aided funding from Whitehaven Coal.

Interest in Kamilaroi song and dance is growing and reaching out to include Kamilaroi and non-Kamilaroi, said Patti Lettice, an Aboriginal education assistant at Narrabri Public School.

The young people in Narrabri are growing their Aboriginal cultural identity through dance and song, and improving their well-being, through the Kamilaroi Dance Group which was launched in 2017.

About 40 Aboriginal children, from Infants through to High School students, participate in the Kamilaroi Dance Group, which received a $11,600 grant from the Gomeroi Narrabri People Charitable Trust Fund.

The Fund was created in 2017 after Narrabri Coal, a subsidiary of Whitehaven Coal, entered into a Native Title agreement with the Gomeroi Narrabri People.

The dance group meets monthly and regularly performs throughout the Narrabri Shire and surrounding areas, including at NAIDOC functions, presentation nights, and at local events.

The group recently performed at the recent Youth Week presentation of the BackTrack movie presented by the Narrabri Youth Shack at The Crossing Theatre.

Thanks to the grant, the group has been able to purchase materials to dance in culturally appropriate dress and painting, and a PA system to play music during performances.

The funding also supports continuing education programs in language and culture at Narrabri Public School, by facilitating the purchase of cultural resources such as books and videos.

Independent Chair of Gomeroi Narrabri People Charitable Trust Fund Ross Gleeson, said he was pleased to be able to help inspire more local young people to develop their cultural identity.

“With Whitehaven’s support, we’re pleased to be able to continue to invest in a range of activities that will help ensure our young people stay connected to their heritage,” he said.

Patti Lettice was named Narrabri’s 2019 Citizen of the Year for her work with young people, education and community – including founding the dance group – said it’s just one example of the local Aboriginal community working in partnership with Whitehaven Coal.

“Activities like the dance group provide a great basis to grow Aboriginal children’s cultural identity, and it supports their wellbeing too,” said Patti.