Spectacular launch for NAIDOC Week

NAIDOC Week celebrations launched spectacularly last week as hundreds of people took part in the biggest Kullarri NAIDOC Reconciliation Walk.

About 500 locals including traditional owners,Yawuru rangers, representatives from local organisations, tourists and students congregated outside the Indigenous Coordination Centre and marched through the town towards the Broome Shire office lawns for the Kullarri NAIDOC Opening Ceremony.

This year’s theme celebrated the 50th anniversary of the presentation of the Yirrkala Bark Petitions to the Federal Parliament.

The Kullarri region adapted this year’s National NAIDOC theme to Together We Value the Vision.

Kullarri NAIDOC Festival project manager Goolarri Media Enterprises’ chief operations officer Kira Fong said this year saw the biggest turnout for the Reconciliation Walk.

Last Friday’s celebrations culminated with Goolarri Media’s A Taste of Broome event.

Last week, primary school students celebrated NAIDOC through different activities, including visiting Minyirr Park for a cultural tour with operator, traditional owner Micklo Corpus.

Celebrations continued over the weekend, with Magabala Books hosting a children’s picnic and fun literacy activities, while Goolarri hosted the NAIDOC Quiz Night at the Gimme Club on Saturday night.

On Sunday, Our Lady Queen of Peace Cathedral held a special Aboriginal Sunday mass, followed by an outreach luncheon at Father McMahon Place and a campfire celebration in the evening.

This week, Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Service Council celebrated NAIDOC with a family day, while people were invited to the Sisters of St John of God Old Convent Campus to reflect on the history of Aboriginal people in the Kimberley.

This Thursday, Kullarri Patrol will host a food tasting event to celebrate 21 years of service at the Mamabulanjin Aboriginal Corporation in Dora Street from 11am to 2pm.

This Friday, the Kimberley Stolen Generation will hold a morning tea from 10am to 2pm in Barker Street, while the ICC and IBA will hold a food tasting and multicultural lunch from 11am to 2pm at the ICC office in Short Street.

On Saturday, Goolarri Media will host a special NAIDOC Ball and Awards Ceremony from 7-11pm at Broome Civic Centre.

Tickets are $30. More information from goolarri.com/naidoc.