04 NAIDOC
THURSDAY 3 AUGUST 2023 TORRES NEWS
Ailan dancing in the far outback at Longreach For the four years Alice Sagigi has participated in NAIDOC celebrations, she has proudly shared ailan culture in her new outback home in far western Queensland. Ms Sagigi lived in Bamaga for most of her life, but since 2015 she has lived almost 2000 kilometres away,
on Iningai Country in Longreach. “For me, we as parents, like, we need to carry on that tradition and teach our kids especially our culture,” she said. “With our elders, we need to support them and make sure we’re there for them to listen and for them to pass down the knowledge to us so we can pass it on to our kids and our grandkids.”
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Every Sunday for months leading up to NAIDOC week, Ms Sagigi taught primary school and high school young people ailan dancing. “Mainly Gumi Rangadh, that’s my Athes’ favourite from Badu, it’s an easy dance to teach them kids,” she said. “The kids loved it – they enjoyed it – all the community enjoyed the traditional dancing.” Ms Sagigi said NAIDOC week was a good way for people to learn more about First Nations people. She said not many people in the outback knew where the Torres Strait was. “The traditional food I cooked, it just went like wildfire, everybody dug in and come for leftovers,” she said. “That means a lot-to FY 7/23 6/24 $380 inclusive for your special me. I like showing my = $5incl rate for 22x4. rat for 19x4 culture to them or sharing my culture with them.”
Pics supplied.
North Mackay High School acknowledges NAIDOC 2023 STORY AND PICS BY BEL LUI Despite unpleasant conditions, the large crowd of elders who braved Mackay North High School’s NAIDOC event were given VIP acknowledgement, which included morning tea, and entertainment by Tchundal Malar, a local Aboriginal Dance Troupe and an Eastern Torres Strait Islanders dance group made
HERBER TON
BY CARLI WILLIS
Representatives of the College will be visiting Torres Strait Island Communities to discuss
up of the students. Principal Cathy Rolfe welcomed and acknowledged everyone in attendance and said it was great to have Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson in support. Au Esoau (thank you very much) to Community Education Councillors Charlene Hakaraia (nee Lui) and Tara Raikaki, and everyone who worked tirelessly to organise the event.
ABOVE: Torres Strait Islanders Girls Student Dancers. BELOW: Elders group.
applications for future enrolments in Years 7 to 12 Monday, August 7 - All Day
Boigu Island
Tuesday, August 8 - Morning
Badu Island
Tuesday, August 8 - Afternoon
Moa Island
Wednesday, August 9 - All Day
Thursday Island
Thursday, August 10 - Morning
Darnley Island
Thursday, August 10 - Afternoon
Warraber Island
For further information Ph: 4096 1444 or Andrea Gower Mob: 0408 074 962 * Dates and times subject to change
www.msb.qld.edu.au
LEFT: Mayor Greg Williamson & Elders. RIGHT: Indigenous North Mackay State High School Girls students addressing the Elders.
