Photo: The Kiris An Taran Torres Strait Island Dance Troupe at NAIDOC at NCIE.
NAIDOC at NCIE 2019 was a hit, with thousands of local community, stallholders, and visitors celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performers, leaders, communities and cultures.
This event marked 10 years of NAIDOC events at NCIE’s Redfern site, and community feedback has been that it was one of the best yet.
NAIDOC AT NCIE 2019.
Welcome ceremony
Proud Wiradjuri woman Linda Burney MP gave an opening speech about the significance of the 2019 NAIDOC theme Voice Treaty Truth, exploring what the theme means for her in her role, and what it means for us as a community.
She urged everyone present to begin the truth-telling process in our own lives.
“We all have an enormous role to play, and truth telling is a remarkable thing that we can to. Talk about it in your home. Talk about it in your workplace. Come to places like the NCIE and learn about it.”
A Welcome to Country from Uncle Chicka Madden, a smoking ceremony from Uncle Max, and a welcome speech from NCIE CEO Clare McHugh all made the ceremony a time for everyone to listen, reflect and enjoy.
Mi-kaisha at NAIDOC at NCIE
Performers
After the Welcome Ceremony, we were treated to incredible performances from Kiris An Taran Torres Strait Island Dance Troupe, Redfern Youth Connect Dancers and Tribal Warrior Dancers.
The music on the day was phenomenal. The line-up of artists, which included Rebecca Hatch, Jarrod Hickling, Mi-kaisha, Shanell Dargan, Sonboy, Nana Miss Koori, Redfern Choir and Green Hand Band all showed the audience some serious Indigenous Excellence.
Nana Miss Koori at NAIDOC at NCIE
Food
Aunty Beryl Van Oploo got everyone ready for lunch with a cooking demonstration of mouth-watering kangaroo on the BBQ. Chicken curry, veggie ragu, and salad was prepared by our fantastic NCIE Hospitality team, and served by some dedicated volunteers.
Aunty Beryl Van Oploo cooking up a storm at her cooking demo.
Treaty Films
Continuing on from the tone set by Linda Burney in the morning, we paid tribute to the Voice Treaty Truth theme through a screening of Treaty Series, four short documentaries about the Treaty process currently underway in Victoria. These films shared the insights of people such as Uncle Jack Charles, Nayuka Gorrie and Jedda Patten about what treaty means to them, the history of the movement and the challenges along the way.
The field
The field was buzzing with stalls, a climbing wall, an inflatable obstacle course and heaps of sports activities throughout the day. It was a fantastic place to sit back and soak in the sunny winter’s day that Sydney turned on for us.
Big thanks to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation for creating a Jarjums Tent for our little ones, with heaps of books in language, craft activities, and story time every hour!
The NCIE field buzzing at NAIDOC at NCIE
Mural Painting
Even the Renwick St carpark was buzzing with activity on the day. A mural, designed by artists Jessica Johnson, Jasmine Sarin, and Yugilla-Myndi Swan, was created, with community members getting involved and adding their handprints to the wall.
Artist Jessica Johnson gets the community involved with the Renwick St mural that showcases Indigenous Excellence in Redfern.
Thank you!
Walking around and taking in NAIDOC at NCIE 2019 made it clear that this event brings people together from all backgrounds, ages and communities in a fun, inclusive and memorable way.
A massive thank you to everyone that turned up – including the 50 stallholders – and made the day so wonderful
The support of the community committee, the NCIE team, volunteers, performers, and stallholders made this excellent day possible.
Take a look at some of our favourite moments: