Last week’s AIATSIS Summit, co-convened by the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council (SWALSC), was a great opportunity to share Noongar culture, challenges and information – including the South West Native Title Settlement – to delegates from across Australia.
From our daily Welcomes to Country and Smoking Ceremonies, artwork, presentations and entertainment, Noongar culture was woven throughout the national week-long event.
Over 1700 delegates from across Australia attended, which featured 400 sessions across five days. Around 200 people also registered to watch the plenary sessions online.
Within the theme ‘Navigating the spaces in-between’, over 400 presentations were delivered on a range of topics including research, constitutional transformation, country, native title, women’s empowerment, treaty, health and finding your mob.
SWALSC and the six Noongar Regional Corporations had exhibition booths at the national event, which provided opportunities to engage with people from around Australia about Noongar culture, art, and tradition, and to present a strong and unified Noongar Nation. At the SWALSC booth delegates were keen to learn more about the historic South West Native Title Settlement.
More than 30 young people attended the Youth Forum and discussed experiences of Indigenous youth, and opportunities to engage with native title, governance, and nation-building.
Gail Mabo, daughter of land rights campaigner Eddie Mabo, and her son, Kaleb, delivered a keynote address. Kaleb shared some of the history of Mer Island and the story of Mabo, receiving a standing ovation.
Noongar Elders Dr Richard Walley and Geri Hayden also delivered keynote addresses, with Richard encouraging guests to join him in singing a Welcome song.
While the rain battered down on Perth, the Native Threads First Nations Fashion Show, which was planned to be held at Yagan Square, was moved to the AIATSIS Summit site. The event featured an incredible array of First Nations designers and drew a large crowd. The energy continued throughout the week, with local artisans having the opportunity to sell their fashion, jewellery and other wares.
A communal weaving project from Culture Weave, led by Noongar artist Nadine Foley was a popular with delegates, and led to the creation of a beautiful piece of artwork. There were also Noongar artworks displayed on easels within the function space and breakout rooms, to showcase Noongar artists.
Delegates also enjoyed the social activities. Dinner at the Claremont Showgrounds on Wednesday included Noongar dancers Koolangkas Kreate and entertainment from Della Rae Morrison. On Friday night, Noongar journalist Narelda Jacobs hosted the gala dinner as MC. There event featured a performance by Midn Marr Dreaming, and musical entertainment from Boox Kid, Isaiah Firebrace, and Broken Tides.
AIATSIS presented Vanessa Kickett, SWALSC Chief Executive Officer, and Brendan Moore, SWALSC Chair, with a plaque to acknowledge SWALC as co-conveners of the event.
Over the coming weeks, all Summit presentations will be available to view for free on the AIATSIS website.
