Due to our local area having a large Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander community, as well as NCNS being a bicultural organisation with many Aboriginal workers, National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day (NATSICD) is a significant day for us to celebrate. Each year we make sure to honour our future leaders in connection to their culture and community, and to highlight their strengths with an event at our Koolyangarra Aboriginal Family Centre.
The day was an opportunity for the community to come together, connect with each other, share and learn about Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Culture. With over 90 community members coming along on the day to show their support, it was a great display of the proud Aboriginal community that we have.
NCNS runs an Aboriginal girls and boys dance group, Walan Mahlee, each Friday at our Kooly centre, that gives young people an opportunity to embrace their culture and to learn traditional Aboriginal dance. For NATSICD, Walan Mahlee showcased traditional Aboriginal dance for the audience, who enjoyed their performance so much that some even joined them on the dance floor. We loved seeing everyone get involved and having a great time with our amazing and talented Aboriginal young people.
Children engaged in cultural activities such as storytelling, drawing symbols in the sand, as well as using natural items and native materials during play. The face painters were a massive hit with the kids, we loved seeing their magically painted faces in every direction that we looked. The children had a ball taking photos in our photobooth showcasing their beautifully painted faces with their family and friends. Their eyes lit up as they saw the photos print out of the photobooth and they got to take away a memento of the day, a wonderful reminder that they are cherished and celebrated!
Tracie Harris shared her favourite cultural items with the group which included a beautiful Turtle shell.
A highlight of the day was hearing songs in Wiradjuri language, by Sharon Williams who is a proud Koori women and member of the NCNS Board. To hear her beautiful voice in language, was such a treat for us and we would like to give a massive shout out to her for being so courageous and giving us her time on the day.
We would also like to thank all of the community who came along on the day and helped us to celebrate Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Children who are our future and carriers of our stories.
Although the day is over, NCNS will continue to celebrate our Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Children through our many cultural programs. To find out more about our Aboriginal programs click here.