Elders at the heart of Waiben NAIDOC event

Meriam Elder Betty Tekahika reiterated the importance of respecting Elders as cultural knowledge holders and teachers, as she spoke to the young people in the room.

“Because you have the knowledge as an Elder, that’s a little bit of experience blo you,” she said.

“You teach ‘em for makem them kind.

“So the change in the community is happening.

“Respect is the word that you have to use ‘em all the time; to respect each other, respect your elders - elderly people - because thempla the mentors blo you.

“Thempla mentor you right through till you can do it yourself now.

“You gor now, you sabe.”

Badu Island Elder Noel Sagigi spoke to the room about the difficulties of life under “the Act” (the Aboriginal Protection Acts throughout the 1900s) in the Torres Strait.

Mr Sagigi spoke of a permit system, where Indigenous people had to seek permission to travel, and his stolen wages while working in the pearl diving industry.

He also spoke fondly of the lessons he learnt from his Elders in that period, which he said made him strong of heart and mind.

“Them days we didn’t have that money, but we survived by seafood and garden kaikai, everything was alright,” he said.

“We had a very hard life, but I’ll thank that old fella that we’ve been taught how to work.

“[We were taught to] look after your brothers and sisters and help your father to get the food, make a little bit of money.”

Mr Sagigi said it concerned him young people were so consumed by mobile phones and the internet.

“My grandchildren are doing the same thing, we cannot talk to them anymore,” he said.

“Very bad today’s generations over this data… and it’s their time, you gotta forgive them for that.

“Between our parents and grandparents, aunties and uncles, we’ve gotta to try and teach them propa way.

“I rather like the lifestyle we had before - Ailan Kastom - island traditional way of living that’s one passim blo umi.

“You can pass it down from generation to generation.”

Musician Jessie Lloyd attended the event to share time with Elders.

“We wouldn’t be here without them and we wouldn’t have the culture that we do have without them,” she said.

“They’re the knowledge keepers and sometimes I think we forget that.

“I’m really happy to acknowledge them and have them recognised.”

Biosecurity

NPA Elders celebrated

STORY BY TALEI ELU

Biosecurity Queensland staff from Waiben and Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) showed their great appreciation for local Elders with a NAIDOC luncheon held in partnership with HACC and the local Apudhama Rangers last Friday.

Aged Care & Disability Support Services Acting Coordinator Aleisha Chapman said they were appreciative of how the team pulled together for the event.

“Had a lovely lunch today with our Elders down at the Seisia Fishing Club,” she said.

“I would like to express my appreciation to the State Biosecurity team for inviting us along.

“Special thanks also goes to the Rangers Coordinator Angelina Williams and her team, who came along with the freshly husked and chilled coconuts for the Elders, and help set the venue.

“We would also like to thank the Seisia Fishing Club for the venue and Bernie’s Bakery for donating some food.”

Biosecurity Officer and former Queensland Parks & Wildlife ranger Rebecca Williams said she wanted to give back to her community, and helped organise the lunch to celebrate the Elders of the NPA and acknowledge their contributions to the NPA and Torres Strait region.

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