Ceremony a symbol of survival

FOR a fourth year, Ballarat’s Koorie Engagement Action Group are leading a Survival Day Dawn Service.

Set for View Point beside Lake Wendouree from 5.30am on Thursday, 26 January, the event is an opportunity to remember and mourn Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who fought in the frontier wars and died as a result of colonisation since 1788.

KEAG member and Meriam woman Deb Lowah Clark said it’s a chance for everyone to come together to share and learn, and the choice to use the word survival acknowledges intergenerational trauma continues for many First Nations Peoples.

“It means something exists or continues on, despite something that’s happened. In this case, we’re talking about settlement and colonisation,” she said.

“Through the most difficult time that we have recollection of in the history of our peoples’ story, this has created such a huge valley that had to be walked through.

“What we’re doing is righting the reality that our history is a lot longer than… when Captain Cook came, or when Arthur Phillip came… Once you know, you know.”

Alongside speeches and performances attendees will have the chance to take part in a smoking ceremony.

“Feedback in the last few years has been that it’s the first time many people have seen a smoking ceremony, they’ve never had it explained to them,” said KEAG co-chair and Narungga woman Sarah Jane Hall.

“For non-Indigenous people to be involved in that as well is a beautiful thing to witness, and see many cultures come together, have shared emotions, feelings and sit with that for the day.”

KEAG co-chair, City of Ballarat’s Cr Belinda Coates, said she was proud of the municipality for being one of the first regional and rural local government areas in Australia to host a ceremony of this kind.

“We’ve been having really important discussions locally about the fact that January 26 is a significant day of mourning for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” she said.

“Everyone who comes along, whether they’re non-Indigenous, or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, have found the experience really profound.

“It’s been a great opportunity to show solidarity… and to learn and deepen cultural knowledge, understanding and empathy, and it’s been really interesting to see how the conversations are evolving across Australia.”

Ms Lowah Clark acknowledged the recent passing of local elder and Gunditjmara woman Diana Nikkelson, who was the face of the service in previous years. Ms Nikkelson’s daughter Nikki Foy continues to be a key member of KEAG.