NAIDOC Week celebrations get underway in Narrabri

Celebrations around the country are underway after National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee week began on Monday.

NAIDOC week celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their history, culture and achievements.

Narrabri’s Kogil Street Pre-School celebrated NAIDOC week on October 29 with special guests to learn about Dreamtime stories and Aboriginal culture.

The school places Aboriginal teachings at the centre of its learning environment with the children learning language, cultural significance and engaging in culture-based activities such as drawing and dancing.

Amid COVID restrictions, the children were joined by Moree man Paul Spearim who told Dreamtime stories and performed a smoking ceremony, while Centacare’s Lloyd Munroe came to support and educate the children about the oldest living culture in the world.

Kogil Street director Heidi Harper told The Courier it was a ‘fantastic day’ for the children.

“They were so engaged throughout the day which was just wonderful to see,” Ms Harper said.

“At Kogil Street Pre-School, we place a high importance on embedding our Aboriginal culture into our curriculum through dance, play, resources and routines.”

Winanga-Li Aboriginal Child and Family Centre’s June Welsh and Kirren Toomey were also in attendance having formed a partnership with the pre-school along with the chief executive officer of the Narrabri Aboriginal Lands Council Lynn Trindall.

“Aboriginal culture is one of the oldest cultures in the world with many core values aligning with our early years learning framework,” Ms Harper said.

“We only have one earth so we teach the children how to be sustainable, to care for our earth and each other, about respect and communication and what this rich culture and community have to offer.

Special guest of honour, Rosie Baker, helped cut a celebratory cake carrying the NAIDOC theme, ‘Always was, Always will be’.

The Gamilaraay people are the local Indigenous nation of Narrabri.

The children learnt the local Gamilaraay language performing the song, Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes and the Rainbow Song in sign language.

“The children have been completely engaged with our cultural program, learning key words, songs and stories,” Ms Harper said.

“We are very lucky to have the support of Winanga-Li who visit our centre each fortnight to engage the children in stories, song and art, along with the Narrabri Aboriginal Lands Council who continually support us with resources and knowledge and Centacare through their Aboriginal Wellbeing program.

“On behalf of Kogil Street Pre-School, we would like to acknowledge the support of Aboriginal Affairs NSW for providing the funding to hold this special celebration.”

Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton has thrown his support behind NAIDOC week, announcing $21,000 in community grants across the electorate.

This included $1000 to the Pilliga Local Aboriginal Council which will go towards a family fun day with sport and craft activities and an award ceremony.

Gwabegar Public School will receive $1000 for a NAIDOC mural on the school walls.

“NAIDOC Week is always a special event on the community calendar – it is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life,” Mr Coulton said.

“I invite everyone to get involved, learn more about local Indigenous cultures, and share in the traditions that make Australia unique.

“I am proud to acknowledge the traditional owners in the electorate of Parkes – Kamilaroi, Muruwari, Ngyampa, Paaantji, Mulyanguppa, Wilyakali, Tubbagah and Wiradjuri.

NAIDOC week celebrations will finish on Sunday.