Kimberley school children lead NAIDOC march celebrating ‘next generation'

West Australian

7 hours ago

Brightly coloured school uniforms dotted Broome's streets on Friday morning as children marched in the Kullarri NAIDOC Reconciliation Walk, bringing to life this year's theme: The Next Generation – Strength, Vision, Legacy.
The walk kicked off a week of events in Broome, including academic talks, art exhibitions, and music performances, all celebrating the enduring strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The zealous crowd of hundreds, made up of schoolchildren, nurses, doctors, legal organisations, and local businesses, cheered 'Happy NAIDOC Week' and waved flags as they marched through Broome.
The lively energy gave way to quiet respect at Our Lady Queen of Peace Cathedral Park, where Yawuru elder Neil McKenzie spoke about the gathering's significance to the community.
'It's about the people that are connected to the land, the Yawuru people of Broome, not to assert our dominance, but to express respect and gratitude to the rest of the community,' Mr McKenzie said.
'We encompass reconciliation.'
Yawuru elder Diana Appleby led a call-and-response in Yawuru language, with both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal schoolchildren joining in together.
Mr McKenzie described the teaching of Yawuru language in junior schools across Broome as vital.
'We encourage children to speak our language, so it is never lost. It's the only place in the world where you can speak this language, Yawuru,' he said.
Kimberley Land Council CEO Tyronne Garstone said NAIDOC Week holds particular significance in the region, especially given the Kimberley's Aboriginal population of 45 to 50 per cent.
'Acknowledgement of the next generation is fantastic for the community to see, we have such fantastic leaders coming through,' Mr Garstone said.
He welcomed the strong turnout from local schools and the involvement of young people.
'It's great to have school kids down here, acknowledging who they are, their heritage and their connection to country as well, it's a fantastic community vibe.'
Mr Garstone also praised the ongoing efforts of Aboriginal organisations that took part in the march.
'A lot of Aboriginal organisations do fantastic work throughout the year, playing a vital role in regards to achieving some of our Closing the Gap targets.'
NAIDOC Week traces its origins to the 1938 Day of Mourning, when Aboriginal leaders protested Australia Day and demanded Indigenous rights across the country.
What started as a single day grew into a week-long event by 1975, held every July to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and achievements.
Now observed nationwide, NAIDOC Week brings together Indigenous communities, schools, governments, and workplaces to recognise and honour Australia's first peoples.