NAIDOC Week celebrations bring Indigenous culture to Byron Bay foreshore

THE Byron Bay foreshore came alive with Indigenous dance, music and cultural activities as the community gathered to celebrate NAIDOC Week last week.

The event began with a parade down Johnson Street and featured a smoking ceremony led by Arakwal Elder Uncle Brian Kelly at Apex Park, embracing this year’s NAIDOC Week theme, 50 Years of Deadly, marking five decades since NAIDOC expanded into a national week-long celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander excellence, survival and community leadership.

Indigenous and non-Indigenous people dancing at NAIDOC Week celebrations. Photo: Angela Saurine.

In Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander English, “deadly” means awesome, brilliant and triumphant rather than dangerous.

Families enjoyed a range of free activities, with children painting boomerangs, learning basket weaving and having their faces painted.

The event began with a parade. Photo: Angela Saurine.

The event was organised by the Bundjalung Byron Bay Aboriginal Corporation (Arakwal) in partnership with Byron Shire Council.

Byron Shire councillor and Bundjalung woman Michelle Lowe said the celebration recognised the courage, leadership, resilience and cultural pride of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, while reflecting on her grandmother’s generation, who did not always feel safe expressing their identity.

Superintendant Christopher Schilt, holding an Aboriginal flag, with Cassandra Kelly at NAIDOC Week celebrations. Photo: Angela Saurine.

“We are fortunate to live on Country where the culture remains strong and vibrant,” she said.

Organiser Cassandra Kelly also paid tribute to prominent Arakwal Elder sisters Aunty Lorna Kelly, Aunty Linda Vidler, Aunty Yvonne Graham and Aunty Dulcie Nicholls, who led the historic Native Title claims for the Bundjalung of Byron Bay Arakwal people.

Children painted boomerangs at the event. Photo: Angela Saurine.

The Bundjalung Byron Bay Aboriginal Corporation (Arakwal) was established in 1996 to strengthen Aboriginal identity and culture.

Yalaanggurr Kelly-Pati Mariah Cavanagh Roberts and Haley Cavanagh Roberts. Photo: Relicca Kelly.

The corporation works in partnership with government, community organisations and businesses to help protect and manage the lands and waters of Arakwal Country while supporting its community through improved housing, health and wellbeing, education, training and employment opportunities.