Get up! Stand up! Show up!
Originally published in The Nyngan Weekly
After a week of activities, celebration, and activism, Nyngan NAIDOC 2022 concluded on Friday with a community day and NAIDOC dinner.
The Nyngan Local Aboriginal Land Council board worked closely with the community to run cultural sessions throughout the week, encouraging people to reflect on the 2022 theme of Get up! Stand up! Show up!
Wiradjuri Elder, Uncle Ralph Naden, attended Nyngan Public School on Wednesday, speaking to students about his story and sharing culture with them.
“We’ve done a bit of dancing and boomerang throwing, and a bit of activities outside. I’ve been here plenty of times and it’s a really, really good place to come out to and keep our culture alive,” he said.
Uncle Ralph runs a cultural camp near Gilgandra, and said his opportunities to share culture have grown exponentially since he opened it.
His sessions weren’t just about fun and games however, with Uncle Ralph unafraid to share his and his family’s experiences under racist political ideations.
“I always carry a certificate with me, I’m getting on in age now, but back in the time when my mum and dad couldn’t do this [share culture], they had to have a certificate to do all of this, and they could even get knocked back on some of the stuff they were doing, whether it was dancing, whether it was engaging in singing or language, or stuff like that.
“I’ve got it there in black and white, it shows you, being a proud Aboriginal man, a Wiradjuri man, I’m proud I can go and do these things.”
Uncle Ralph said to the students that life isn’t about black and white, and that everyone in the community can move forward together.
“I always do the kangaroo and emu dance first in my welcome dance because the kangaroo and emu don’t go backwards.
“Everyone in life, they stumble, what do they do? They have a choice, the get back up and keep going, which is what I try to encourage in the young kids,” he said.
Friday’s grim weather didn’t hold back the annual community day, which had been pre-emptively moved from the river to the showgrounds due to flooding.
Families and children poured through the Walker Pavilion all day, meeting with service providers, enjoying craft activities, and learning about culture.
Jamie McLennan held a smoking ceremony through the building, before opening the community day with performances from the Wakakirri Mayi dance group.
Once the hall cleared out, and the children went home, and the adults celebrated the end of a fantastic week at the NAIDOC Dinner.
Almost 120 people attended the evening which was filled with dances, speeches, trivia, and a very excited dance floor come the end of the evening. After a massive week of performances, Wakakirri Mayi gave one last show, dancing for guests before the dinner began.
NSW Aboriginal Land Council councillor Grace Toomey and Nyngan Local Aboriginal Land Council CEO Veneta Dutton gave speeches.
Ms Toomey spoke about her family history, and how land councils have been part of her life since a young age.
“My late grandmother Grace Toomey Snr was very active in the Dubbo LALC and taught me at a young age to be involved in the land council movement.
“Being raised a strong Aboriginal woman has given me great insight into Black politics and the strength to stick with it,” she said.
“The time has come for us to step up and continue the work of our Elders, we may not all agree with each other but unless we can find a common ground and take a small commitment one at a time to government, nothing will be achieved.”
Ms Toomey congratulated local land councils on their effort day in, day out, and held them up as the backbone of the land council movement.
Following Ms Toomey, Ms Dutton gave a speech, reflecting on what the 2022 theme means to her.
“When growing up, I watched my parents, and my Elders fight for basic rights. To be heard, to tell stories, to speak traditional language, to seek equal wages, quality education, and safe liveable housing, and much much more.
“To the people who got up, who stood up, and who showed up before me, and I acknowledge some of these Elders are no longer with us, but it’s important to acknowledge the contribution they have given to Nyngan LALC as they fought for the rights of Aboriginal people in Nyngan.”
Ms Dutton spoke on the impacts Alec and Sheila Couley, Leslie and Edna Weldon, Buddy Weldon, Kay Buswell, and Mary and Archie Hignett had on not only her, but Aboriginal people in Nyngan and the surrounding areas.
Ms Dutton also spoke about Elders in Nyngan, and their importance to the community.
“I am blessed to have my parents Lesly and Tommy Ryan who have taught me a lot about my culture, how to be proud of my culture and how to stand up for my culture, and shared a lot of NSWLALC knowledge with me, which helps me in my day to day role.
“Aunty Dulcie Graham is a Barkajuri woman but lived in Nyngan many moons ago and recently returned. She is one of the most important people in my world, she has been my Elder forever. He knowledge, stories, and advice has always guided me. And when I was on a dark path, she gave me a car, with a beautiful message and it changed my life’s path, for this I thank you.
“Tiny [Gloria] and Uncle Eddie Shipp have returned to Nyngan and have been involved in Nyngan LALC for many years and often share knowledge with us. Billy Leigh, aka Roo, was a great fighter for Nyngan LALC in the early days.”
In her speech, Ms Dutton shared with the room a glimpse at the many people who have had significant impacts in not only her life, but the lives of Aboriginal people in this community.
She also thanked her board for their continued efforts and dedication to getting up, standing up, and showing up.
Though they may be few, they have achieved significant things, and continue to make strides towards a more equal, and respectful, Bogan shire.
After a delicious meal, some very competitive trivia, and a night on the dance floor, Nyngan NAIDOC 2022 officially came to a close.