IT was delayed a week due to poor weather last Tuesday, but a welcome to NAIDOC Week and smoking ceremony finally went ahead yesterday.
The weather was still overcast and cold, but this time the ceremony was able to take place at Mallee District Aboriginal Services in Kerang’s Nolan Street.
NAIDOC Week festivities are held across the nation each July to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The week of celebration, an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories, has been growing in popularity and recognition since its inception in 1975.
This year’s theme “For Our Elders” aimed to ensure young people were learning from their elders’ knowledge and perspectives, and that these continue to be passed down through the generations.
MDAS chief executive Darlene Thomas attended the opening ceremony and said it was important to acknowledge 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 Kerang,” Ms Thomas said.
“We wanted the community to be able to celebrate properly, which is why we had to postpone last week.”
