ALTHOUGH the mercury was low the spirits were high as a large crowd gathered at the Mallee Valley Aboriginal Services building on Nyah Road today to launch the beginning of NAIDOC Week.
Uncle Ricky Kirby, a proud Wadi Wadi man, welcomed all and conducted the smoking ceremony that started the celebration of Indigenous culture.
NAIDOC (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) Week has been growing in popularity and recognition since its inception in 1975, when it was known as NADOC.
The week of celebration is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations.
This year the theme, For Our Elders, is an opportunity to ensure young people are learning from elders’ knowledge and perspectives, and that these continue to be passed down through the generations.
MDAS chief executive Darlene Thomas said she was excited be in Swan Hill to celebrate.
“It’s great to be here with our elders and acknowledge our elders and what they fought for over the years.
“I think we still have a long ways to go but it is really important to be able to celebrate all of our achievements as one and that’s why I felt it was important for me to be in Swan Hill this morning,” Ms Thomas said.
Swan Hill Mayor Les McPhee joined the gathering and said that it was important to celebrate the oldest continuing culture in the world.
“In Swan Hill we have the highest percentage of Aboriginal population in Victoria, so it is important to acknowledge the role they have played, are playing and will play into the future,” Cr McPhee said.
Over the next week there will be a full program for the community to get involved in.
For a full list of events happening in the Swan Hill and Robinvale, visit www.swanhill.vic.gov.au/naidoc
