STUDENTS at the McGuire Campus of the Greater Shepparton Secondary College took part in a traditional smoking ceremony and flag raising on Monday to mark the start of NAIDOC week.
The nation-wide celebration recognises the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of this nation.
On the front lawns of the campus, Yorta Yorta woman Aunty Merle Miller performed a Welcome to Country in traditional language before students walked through the smoke of green eucalyptus leaves.
“Welcome, friends. You walk upon the land of my people, the Yorta Yorta people, and we acknowledge as well the Bangerang peoples of this nation,” Aunty Merle said.
“Take pleasure in all our land. Respect all that you see, respect all people, but the big thing we want to get out there, is to respect each other.
Auntry Merle said NAIDOC week, which she defined as the National Aboriginal and Islander Day of Celebration, was a time “for us to share and for other people to come in and share with us.”
“If you don’t know one another, get to know one another. Share with others out there. Non-Aboriginal people want to, mostly, understand our culture, but it’s up to us to help share it as well,” she said.
