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Storylines: NAIDOC Week 2020 Budgeram – always was, always will be
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t’s fast approaching that time of year when Black Lives do Matter – National Aborigine and Islanders Day Observance Committtee (NAIDOC) Week. Normally held in the first full week of July, 2020 has seen COVID-19 push NAIDOC Week back to 8–15 November. This year, more than ever, our community needs to come together to celebrate our strength in our cultural identity, country, and our relationships with each other. The theme for NAIDOC Week this year is ‘Always Was, Always Will Be’ and recognises that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are spiritually and culturally connected to this country, our collective adaptation and intimate knowledge of Country has enabled us to endure climate change, catastrophic droughts, and rising sea levels. We have always worked together to share our skills and knowledge to benefit our people, our culture, and our country. There are elements of Aboriginal First Nations culture that are ancient and enduring, and some that have evolved in response to colonisation. Importantly culture continues to evolve through the impacts of genocide and new technologies. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture is the oldest living culturel on planet Earth and the theme for NAIDOC Week celebrates the hard work of our old people to ensure this legacy for our people continues.
Stop the culture of death – BLM In 2020 First Nations Australians drew breath as the world stopped for the Black Lives Matters (BLM) movement. Over 6,000 people attended the Black Lives Matter protests in the Byron Shire, standing with the world to stop the violence toward and killings of black people in custody. Shockingly, since then, our people have continued to die in custody here in Australia. As culture evolves, and laws are changed I hope that we won’t pass on this culture causing death in custody, and that the unaccountability of those who perpetrate
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A program including Bush Tucker tours, music with Emily Wurramarra and Aine Tyrrell, an Aboriginal art exhibition, weaving and art workshops, and much more, will be taking place. Look up Bunyarra Culture Collective on Facebook for details. Photo Tree Faerie these crimes will end. We can, and must, do better.
Celebrating together Bunyarra Culture Collective has curated an exceptional program of events for the Byron Shire community at the Bangalow A&I Hall. The program is diverse and rich; including Bush Tucker tours with Arakwal woman Delta Kay, music performance with renowned songstresses Emily Wurramarra and Aine Tyrrell – showcasing their incredible collaboration ‘We Call, You Know’, a week long Aboriginal Art Exhibition, weaving workshops, art workshops and more. Look up Bunyarra Culture Collective on Facebook for details on events and times.
Initiative and community An exciting and unique offering this NAIDOC Week is the launch of locallybased Zion Engagement and Planning training with Elle Davidson. Elle is a Balanggarra woman from the East Kimberley and one of the few town planners who identify as Aboriginal. Elle is also a descendant of Captain William Bligh and she feels uniquely placed to navigate two worlds and two systems. Elle started Zion to assist the built environment industry in working with Country, community, and culture. Through Zion, Elle seeks to empower mob to care for Country, strengthen community, and revive culture. Elle is developing training packages with OneTime Productionz for the built environment industry to develop awareness and personal commitments to Aboriginal Cultural Frameworks. ‘I hope the Zion training will create a learning platform where the built
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environment professionals feel equipped to work with Country, community and culture. This will result in better outcomes where mob feel their voice is empowered, they have authority in decision-making, and Country is cared for by Aboriginal people,’ Elle said. ‘We will be launching the first training module – “Working with Country” during NAIDOC Week. Although the training is aimed at the built environment industry, everyone will walk away with new knowledge. ‘We have never ceded sovereignty of this land and [yet] we have no authority when it comes to decision making for Country. Given the events of 2020, it seems important to stop and listen to the oldest living culture and seek wisdom from people who have always been here; Always was, always will be’. The Zion launch is Saturday, 14 November, 5.30pm at Bangalow A&I Hall. RSVP: office@zionep.com.au. The NAIDOC week program has something for everyone, it is an important time to acknowledge, connect, and learn with the local Aboriginal community. At the very least, please – stop and give thanks to the Arakwal people of the Bundjalung Nation who have cared for this country for many thousands of years so that we can live here and appreciate the wonder of country. Q Budgeram means story in
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Bundjalung language. Q Storylines articles are published on Echonetdaily: www.echo.net.au/naidocweek-2020-always-wasalways-will-be and are made possble with the support of Ninbella Gallery.
mşưĕŔćĕſ ǫǽ ǩǧǩǧ The Byron Shire Echo 13