Reconciliation Week was inspiring and enlightening once again – how was yours? Did you learn something new about First Peoples, or have a chat about Indigenous rights with someone? Whatever you did, we hope it was a positive step towards reconciliation. From little things, big things grow.Speaking of big things – on June 3, 1992, Australia’s High Court declared that Australia had not been ‘terra nullius’ prior to colonisation. This decision came after Eddie Mabo and a group of Meriam men fought for the land rights of First Peoples for over ten years. This was the first case in which native title over their homeland was recognised.
Since 2002, this has been known as Mabo Day – so don’t forget to take a moment to pay your respects this week! Click here to find out more.
As for next month, get your diaries out – it’s NAIDOC week soon. The acronym, which originally stood for ‘National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee’, has become the name of a week when celebrations are held across Australia each July, celebrating the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Find out more here.
Check out a whole lot more cool things that are happening, and the latest news below!
Inaugural Clan Elders Council on Treaty held on May 14
The very first Clan Elders Council on Treaty was held at the Victorian Parliament on May 14, 2018. The Elders gave a collectively devised, unanimously agreed upon statement regarding Treaty, Sovereignty, and the rights of First Peoples.
Read the full statement and find out more here. You can also donate to help make future Clan Elders Council meetings possible, by clicking here.
Building Aboriginal Cultural Competency: an introductory program
Thursday June 7, 9:30am at Koorie Heritage Trust
Are you interested in building your knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal issues, but don’t know where to start? This program could be what you’re looking for! It’s perfect for individuals who may not have regular contact with Aboriginal peoples and communities, but are keen to learn more.
More dates available during the year. Sessions available for individuals or groups. Find out more here.
Feather Flower Buds Workshop with Glenda Nicholls
Saturday June 9, 10:30am at the Mildura Arts Centre
Feather craft is Glenda Nicholls’ life passion. Her craft carries a storyline handed down by Elders and ancestors connecting her to country. In this workshop Glenda will teach participants the art of making feather flower buds.
Free but bookings essential. Find out more here.
Marramb-ik (I am)
Until Monday June 11at the Melbourne
The role of storytelling has been an integral part of First Peoples culture since the beginning of time. To this day stories of creation, lore, social and political movements and of ancestors are told.
Visual storytelling has been around for tens of thousands of years, and here Victorian First Peoples storytelling is presented through the medium of comics.
Bunjilaka partners with the Koorie Youth Council for this exhibition of storytelling through pop-culture comics incorporating identity, heroes and language.
Find out more here
Collage Afternoon with Peter Waples-Crowe
Friday June 22, 2:30pm at Koorie Heritage Trust
Peter is an awarding winning artist whose visual and performance practices operate in the intersection of Aboriginal identity, Koorie spirituality and Australia’s ongoing colonisation. Join him for an afternoon of collage!
Influenced by his Ngarigo heritage, his art comments on the contested site, of contemporary concerns with a queer global Indigenous world view. Peter will take participants through his art practise, helping them tell their own stories using his signature technique of collage.
All welcome! Find out more here
Victorian NAIDOC awards
Friday June 29, 6:30pm at Bunjilaka
Think you could be the 2018 Ms or Mr NAIDOC, NAIDOC Patron or NAIDOC Sportsperson? Know someone who should win the award? Want to be a part of the awards ceremony? You can nominate someone here!
For tickets and more info click here.
Bush Mechanics: the exhibition
Until July 15 at the Melbourne Museum
Drawing on images, objects and footage from the hilarious and much-loved Bush Mechanics television series, this exhibition explores Indigenous knowledge and ingenuity, the importance of cars to remote communities, bush life and the humour of the outback.
Through comedyand storytelling, learn more about Warlpiri and Yuendumu communities and contemporary Indigenous issues in the heart of Australia.
Find out more here.
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