On 19th October, a group six students and one teacher attended the Young NAIDOC Day. Fortunately it was a clear morning with no rain in sight. We walked to Alfred Oval and joined in the activities that were running.

The day began with a Smoking ceremony where all in attendance, young and old walked through the cleansing smoke. We were then entertained by a local Wiradjuri Dance Group, who performed dances whilst dressed in ceremonial clothing featuring red, yellow and white ochre paint. They performed an Acknowledgement of Country dance. The dances were led by a person chanting in Wiradjuri and using clap sticks to keep the rhythm. They also performed an emu, goanna and kangaroo as well as other dances. Apart from the wonderful dancing a highlight was people being asked to join the dances. We were thrilled to see Beau Rice step forward and join in.

There were many stalls with sample bags, a canteen with free sausages and kangaroo meat balls- yum.

An elder from Cowra explained artifacts, food and processing of nuts and seeds. He had a grinding stone that has been carbon dated to 4,000 years old. 

We all thanked Norma Freeman from the Young Land Council for inviting us, left the event and walked back for Period 4. Surveying the students attending they all enjoyed the event and got something from it.

Peter Igoe-Taylor
ATSI Contact person Hennessy Catholic College 2022