NAIDOC Week is held in the first full week of July and there were a few ceremonies and events that were held throughout the region of the Central Wheatbelt and Avon Valley in celebration. One particular occasion was a ceremony held at the Reserve in Merredin near the Merredin Peak where Mick from Njaki Njaki Aboriginal tours did a welcome to country and we were lucky enough to hear experiences of what life was like living out there from Merredin locals. The local police who came out were sporting their new indigenous shirts that were made for the week as well which was great to see. It was a really wonderful morning and in important one to attend and I’m hopeful next year there will be a bigger turn out.
NAIDOC week is a time to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements and is an opportunity to recognise the contributions that Indigenous Australians make to our country and closer to home, within our local communities.
-Verity