Boggabri John Prior Multi Purpose Service celebrated NAIDOC Week last Tuesday morning.
Uncle Mitch performed the smoking ceremony prior to welcome to country, flag raising, dance group and cutting of cake.
Wade Natty spoke about National NAIDOC Week and its significance.
Mr Natty told those present that he was a direct descendant of Yawiriawiri Murri Ganuur who was a chief of the guyinbaraay speaking Gamilaraay people that lived and cared for the area that surrounds the Gunnedah and Boggabri stretches of the Namoi River.
“My family have a long association with this area, but we all live here together now in unity,” Mr Natty said.
“To me, NAIDOC Week is definitely a time of celebration.
“We have to celebrate that we as Aboriginal people are still here and still thriving,” he said.
“Aboriginal people are now managing high profile businesses, we are doctors, lawyers, teachers and some of the best sportspeople on earth. We have come a long way from the restrictions that were imposed upon us in times gone by.”
The NAIDOC theme for 2025 is ‘The next generation – strength, vision, and legacy,’ which highlights the importance of nurturing and supporting our children and leading them on a path that will enable them to be the leaders that society will require of them in years to come.
“We must show them what strength is by leading by example, we must share with them a vision of what a strong and supported community looks like and we must leave a legacy for them to follow in our footsteps,” Mr Natty said.
“If we follow these three protocols then I’m sure that our youth will make wonderful leaders when it becomes their turn to pave the way for the generation after them.”
Mr Natty encouraged everyone to come together and learn as a unified group and all grow together as one.
