Murri News
Gamilaraay Language & Culture Camp
On 20th & 21st May, Wee Waa High School Aboriginal students attended a two day language and culture camp at Lake Keepit Sport and Recreation Centre that was planned by AECG. The day started with a Welcome to Country and a Smoking Ceremony with Uncle Greg Griffiths.
The first activity focused on artefacts and weapons with Tom Barker, an Elder form Lightning Ridge. Then we had a dance lesson with Mark Sutherland of the Tamworth based Gomeroi Dance Company. Uncle Greg Griffiths showed the students a cultural site of a rock that looks like a skull, which everyone thought was pretty amazing.
Students had the opportunity to learn an Acknowledgement to Country song in language by Kelsey Iris and Loren Ryan. The harmony created by the group of students from Wee Waa, Gunnedah and Quirindi was wonderful.
Darryl Ferguson gave an interesting talk and demonstration on traditional carvings and Aunty Brenda and Jacqueline from Lightning Ridge taught students about bush food and medicine.
Uncle Len Waters taught students about dream time stories relating to the stars and how in history Aboriginal people always checked the night sky. If you look into the night sky you will see the emu in the Milky Way.
I was very proud of the level of respect that our students showed and I think they all got something valuable out of the two days.
Acknowledgement to Country
A group of Aboriginal students from Years 7 to 12 have been spending a lunch time each week together learning the Acknowledgement to Country. Each week a student volunteers to deliver the Acknowledgement to Country at the school assembly. We have been really impressed by the level of leadership and maturity the students have demonstrated.
I would like to thank Jocellin Jansson, Sharon Grellman and Naomi Nean for their help with this important cultural knowledge sharing activity. I am so proud of all the students that are involved and that they have willingly given their time to participate.
Language Course
On the 12th June the Department of Education staff and other community members completed a Certificate 1 in Aboriginal Language studies at Dubbo TAFE. I would like to thank Aunty Beth and Uncle John for travelling to visit us each month to give staff and students this remarkable opportunity to learn our language and pass on the cultural understanding.
NAIDOC Week
On Tuesday 23rd July Wee Waa High School will celebrate the opening of NAIDOC week starting with an Elder delivering the Welcome to Country, a flag raising ceremony and then an address by a special guest speaker who will speak on this year’s theme, “Voice Treaty Truth”. On the Thursday we will enjoy a full day of activities where students will rotate form one cultural activity to another.
NAIDOC week at Wee Waa High School has always been really well embraced by staff and students and we see great participation. We welcome members of the community to join us for a BBQ lunch and the annual cutting of the NAIDOC week cake here at the school.