NAIDOC events celebrate culture and the concept of Country

The connection between Country and culture will be the theme of this year’s NAIDOC Week celebrations across Redlands Coast.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said NAIDOC Week – starting Sunday 4 July – celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

“It is a great opportunity to learn more about these communities,” Cr Williams said.

“This year NAIDOC invites us all to embrace First Nations’ cultural knowledge and understanding of Country as part of Australia’s national heritage.

“Country is much more than a place or a piece of land, for Traditional Owners it is inherent to their identity. It has meaning in every aspect, from spiritual to social, from cultural to emotional.

“This year’s theme – Heal Country – is about working to protect lands, waters, sacred sites and cultural heritage from exploitation, desecration and destruction.”

Cr Williams said NAIDOC Week would be celebrated across Redlands Coast with a number of events at various locations. The official launch will be held on Sunday, 4 July, at Raby Bay Harbour Park and will feature music and art from the Quandamooka People and other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

“The Quandamooka People have been Traditional Owners of much of the area we now call Redlands Coast for more than 21,000 years,” Cr Williams said.

“The official launch will run from 9am to 1pm and there will be a traditional smoking ceremony and interactive dance workshops, as well as traditional arts and crafts activities, including weaving workshops.

“For those interested in furthering the cultural experience, Quandamooka man Matt Burns will provide cultural demonstrations and interactive family workshops. Matt’s workshops have proven very popular in the past.

“There also will be artwork by Quandamooka artists on display and for sale, along with a stunning sand art display.

“On stage will be performers such as Quandamooka song-man Josh Walker and the Yulu-Burri-Ba Dancers; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musician Joe Geia and his band; Torres Strait Islander singer and songwriter Chris Tamwoy with special guest Tania-Rose Gibuma; and Australian South Sea Islander and Aboriginal singer/songwriter Georgia Corowa.”

Cr Williams said several Redlands Coast cultural and environmental facilities would showcase Traditional Owner culture as part of NAIDOC Week.

“On the Friday before the week gets underway, proud Quandamooka woman Elisha Kissick will lead a cultural flora walk through Council’s IndigiScapes Centre at Capalaba,” she said.

“Elisha is passionate about sharing her Aboriginal culture and is actively on a mission to change the narrative around the perception of First Nations people.

“That passion is shared by artists Carol McGregor and Tamika Grant-Iramu who both have thought-provoking exhibitions currently showing at Redland Art Gallery as part of NAIDOC Week.

“While at Cleveland Library on the morning of 6 July, Bundjalung South Sea Islander musician and author Lucas Proudfoot will be entertaining younger audiences as he shares the positive aspects of music, story and culture.

“On 7 July at the library, Uncle Norm Enoch from Minjerribah Moorgumpin Elders-in-Council will host a talk on Heal Country and the work his group is doing at the Terra Bulla Leumeah Conservation Reserve at Myora on North Stradbroke Island. Uncle Norm will also be giving a talk prior to this at IndigiScapes on the morning of Saturday 3 July.

“The play Rovers takes to the Redland Performing Arts Centre stage on 8 July. Performed by two female actors, it is a lively and fun production.

“So I encourage everyone to come along to these events, to listen and learn and to take away an understanding of the cultural significance of Country.

“Until we really understand Country we won’t understand why and how it needs to be healed.”

Cultural flora walk with Elisha Kissick of Yura Tours

Friday 2 July, 10am–12.30pm, IndigiScapes Botanic Gardens and Café, Capalaba

The cultural “walk talk” will cover how Quandamooka People used the varieties of flora that can be found in the gardens throughout IndigiScapes. $20 per person, ages 12+ indigiscapes.redland.qld.gov.au/

Native flora talk with Uncle Norm Enoch plus native bush food starter packs

Saturday 3 July, 9am–noon, IndigiScapes Botanic Gardens and Café, Capalaba

Come along and meet Uncle Norm from Minjerribah Moorgumpin Elders-in-Council as he talks about the cultural significance of native flora. IndigiScapes also will celebrate NAIDOC week with native bush food flora starter packs available in limited quantities. indigiscapes.redland.qld.gov.au/

NAIDOC Cultural Celebration Event

Sunday 4 July, 9am-1pm, Raby Bay Harbour Park

Performers include: Josh Walker and the Yulu-Burri-Ba Dancers, Joe Geia and band, Chris Tamwoy with special guest Tania-Rose Gibuma and Georgia Corowa. Activities include: traditional smoking ceremony and interactive dance workshops, arts and crafts activities, a sand art display, and cultural demonstrations by Matthew Burns. redland.qld.gov.au/NAIDOC

Exhibition Fragments: A Printed Environment: Tamika Grant-Iramu

until Sunday 18 July, Redland Art Gallery, Cleveland

Grant-Iramu’s work brings into focus aspects of the natural environment that often go unnoticed and yet are an important part of the identity and culture of place. artgallery.redland.qld.gov.au/exhibitions/exhibitions-2021/fragments-a-printed-environment-tamika-grant-iramu/

Exhibition Response: Carol McGregor

until Sunday 18 July, Redland Art Gallery, Cleveland

In Response, Carol McGregor, an artist of Wathaurung and Scottish descent, reflects on what was here, looked after and used as a resource before colonisation. artgallery.redland.qld.gov.au/exhibitions/exhibitions-2021/response-carol-mcgregor/

Musical Stories! with Lucas Proudfoot

Tuesday 6 July, 9.30-10am, Cleveland Library

Author Lucas Proudfoot presents a dynamic musical storytelling experience through song, dance and expert instrument demonstration. redland.qld.gov.au/info/20157/libraries/308/whats_on_at_your_library?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D153143126

Your Words! Your Story! with Lucas Proudfoot

Tuesday 6 July, 10.30-11.30am, Cleveland Library

Lucas Proudfoot showcases dance, cultural diversity and his creative process. redland.qld.gov.au/info/20157/libraries/308/whats_on_at_your_library?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D153143143

Heal Country with Uncle Norm and Minjerribah Moorgumpin Elders-in-Council

Wednesday 7 July, noon-1pm, Cleveland Library

Come along and meet Uncle Norm from Minjerribah Moorgumpin Elders-in-Council as he talks passionately about the award winning work they are doing at the Terra Bulla Leumeah Conservation Reserve. hbit.ly/3bWMwB4

Rovers

Thursday 8 July, 7.30-8.30pm, Concert Hall, Redland Performing Arts Centre, Cleveland

Rovers is a delightful and modern comedy-drama that celebrates the imagination and heart of Australia’s trailblazing women. It stars Barbara Lowing and Roxanne McDonald who is descended from the Mandandanjii and Darambal tribes of Central Queensland. rpac.com.au/what-s-on/all-events/rovers/