Celebrate NAIDOC Week on Redlands Coast

Planning for NAIDOC Week celebrations is underway on Redlands Coast, with Redland City Council hosting, supporting and facilitating events from 2 to 9 July 2023.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said NAIDOC Week gave everyone an opportunity to celebrate First Nations culture and history.

“As Traditional Custodians of much of Redlands Coast, the Quandamooka People have lived on the lands and seas surrounding Minjerribah/North Stradbroke Island for at least 21,000 years,” Cr Williams said.

“Council is proud to be involved with the celebration of their culture and heritage, and I urge residents to take the time to attend NAIDOC Week events to reflect on that long history.”

The week will open with Council hosting a Redlands Coast NAIDOC Cultural Celebration on Sunday 2 July from 9am to 1pm in Cleveland Library Square, Middle Street.

“This free community event will showcase traditional and contemporary Quandamooka music and dancing,” Cr Williams said.

“There will also be a traditional smoking ceremony, cultural demonstrations, First Nations artists and market stalls, and activities for children run by members of our library team.”

The celebrations continue at 4pm on Sunday 2 July with well-known singer/songwriter and musician Joe Geia appearing at Redland Performing Arts Centre to perform From Rations, to Wages, to Treaty, a musical narrative that perfectly fits NAIDOC Week’s 2023 theme of ‘For Our Elders’.

Joe is an influential figure in the development of contemporary Indigenous music and, through this multi-arts performance, he shares the stories of strong Elders and leaders who fought for justice for Indigenous peoples.

Redlands IndigiScapes Centre is hosting Pop-up Libraries on Monday 3 July to celebrate NAIDOC Week, with storytelling, rhymes, games, songs and activities.

Capalaba Library is screening the documentary Gurrumul on Friday 7 July. Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, blind from birth, found purpose and meaning through songs and music inspired by his community and country on Elcho Island in far north-east Arnhem Land.

Redland City Council Libraries are also holding events for young children, including:

Musical storytelling – songs and dances about caring for country – with Renata Jayne at Cleveland Library on Tuesday 27 June. Indigenous books and authors at Baby Time at Cleveland Library on Tuesday 4 July, Toddler Time at Victoria Point Library on Wednesday 5 July, and a Whale Dreaming story time at Capalaba Library on Thursday 6 July. An online storytime featuring Kieron Anderson, who will share a traditional Quandamooka bird call, available on Monday 3 July via the library Facebook page.

Redland City Council is also sponsoring the Minjerribah Moorgumpin Elders-In-Council 2023 NAIDOC Community Day on Saturday 8 July at Terra Bulla Leumeah, 151 Dickson Way, Dunwich/Myora on North Stradbroke Island/Minjerribah.

The event will include a Welcome to Country, cultural performances, bush tucker guided tours, market and food stalls, and plenty of activities.

Information on all events, including how to book, is available at redland.qld.gov.au/naidoc