NAIDOC Week at MLC School
In Term 3, we celebrated NAIDOC Week at MLC School with several events across the week. On Monday during the Chapel service for staff, we were given a powerful and insightful reflection from Pastor Ray Minniecon a highly respected pastor and a descendant of the Kabi Kabi nation and the Gurang Gurang nation of South-East Queensland. He spoke of how building the Kingdom Of God requires Christians to work for justice for First Nations Peoples.
On Tuesday during Chapel the student’s heard from Larissa Minnieconn, Pastor Ray’s daughter and the current Chair of the Glebe NAIDOC Committee and a founding member of Scarred Tree Indigenous Ministries an Aboriginal, Torres Strait and Australian South Sea Islander ministry based in the inner city suburb of Glebe, Sydney. She spoke of the resilience of Aboriginal people and how this year’s NAIDOC week theme ‘Keep the fires burning, loud, blak, and proud,’ encapsulates the spirit and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
On Wednesday at Senior School Assembly the School was addressed by three of our First Nations students. Kirriana (Year 11), Tyra Riley (Year 11) and Marayah-Kai Johnson (Year 9) spoke eloquently about what their culture means to them and the cultural role models in their life. They shared the importance of NAIDOC Week for them and how they celebrate NAIDOC week.
On Thursday at the Junior School NAIDOC Week Assembly we had a smoking ceremony conducted by Aunty Calita Murray and a dance performance from the Buuja Buuja Butterfly Dancers. The Buuja Buuja dancers, led by Wiradjuri Woman Rayma Johnson are a Sydney based traditional and contemporary fused dance group. A number of our First Nations students are members of the Buuja Buuja Butterfly Dancers.
As we celebrated NAIDOC Week, we took the opportunity to deepen our understanding and committed ourselves to working together towards a more inclusive and equitable future. We honoured the resilience, strength, and wisdom of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and celebrate their rich cultural heritage with pride and passion.
– Tim Lennon
Director of Indigenous Education
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