LiveBetter community worker and National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day event organiser for Dubbo Jena Glover has an important message to deliver to our younger generations.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
"It doesn't matter what culture you come from, be proud of who you are and share it with the world," she said.
Each year, Mrs Glover organises an event for National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day, August 4, in collaboration with Buninyong Public School, which is traditionally celebrated at Victoria Park. This year, the tradition was reconstrued given the challenges of COVID-19.
"This year, due to the craziness of the world we have just been celebrating the day throughout the whole week by doing an array of activities," she said.
"We've been doing what we can, like giving the children cultural activities to do and a book to read."
On Friday, kids gathered at the Buninyong Community Centre were they made boomerangs, sang traditional Wiradjuri songs and connected with each other. Mr Glover said it is important to instill in our youth to be proud, confident and inclusive.
"They are our future, they're going to be looking after us one day," she said.
"It is important they are encouraged to share their culture and to be confident in doing so, and it is important to let our young children know how important they are," she said.
The children were also given a book, No Way Yirrikipayi!, a story about a hungry crocodile written by Australian author Alison Lester.