Enjoying country together at NAIDOC Week

Ceduna and Streaky Bay communities enjoyed Family Fun Days, weaving, painting, storytelling, learning language and sharing food and campfires in celebration of Aboriginal culture during the 2019 NAIDOC Week.

After a moving ‘Welcome to Country’ at Streaky Bay, a story time session was hosted by Wirangu Elder Veda Betts and Wirangu artist Susie Betts, passing on traditional stories, song and musical movement, culminating in a beautiful rendition of the ‘Warna Manda Baby’ song with many children joining in. The Ceduna Family Day was also a huge success with many community members and organisations coming together to host and support the event.

Natural Resources Officer Tayla Westley was delighted with the response to the Ngarliri Dhunadha Dyigibi event, which in Wirangu language means ‘we all together Streaky Bay’.

“It was great to see both communities getting involved in recognising and celebrating Aboriginal people and culture as part of NAIDOC week. These events were also a great opportunity for starting conversations with people about other natural resource management collaborative projects that they might have in mind. Both events were an excellent example of what we can all do when we work together,” Tayla said

“Importantly there are many people to thank. Thank you to the Ceduna NAIDOC committee and organisations involved for all their efforts in hosting the Family Day event, the Far West Aboriginal Women’s Council for their ongoing support and for allowing us to use their weaving materials and Natural Resources Alinytjara Wiluṟara. Thank you to Nana Veda and Aunty Susie Betts for sharing with us the importance of the Wirangu peoples connection to country at the Streaky Bay event. Also thanks to Helen Cox who came down from Port Lincoln to join in and teach weaving. Thank you to the Streaky Bay Community Library, Streaky Bay Council and Ceduna Arts for assisting in hosting the Streaky Bay event” Tayla said.

Far West Aboriginal Women’s Council (FWAWC) Chairperson Cecelia Cox said FWAWC was happy to support Natural Resource Management (NRM) Eyre Peninsula and Alinytjara Wiluṟara in hosting a NAIDOC event at the Family Day in Ceduna.

“It was great to hear the discussions initiated while taking part in the weaving circle. It was also a great opportunity to show community the other collaborative projects that FWAWC and NRM have been working on” Cecelia said.

For further information call us on (08) 8625 3144 or visit www.landscape.sa.gov.au/ep/about-us/aboriginal-engagement