Comet Bay College hosted a traditional Smoking Ceremony this week, as part of our NAIDOC Week celebrations.
Local Elder Trevor Stack performed the ritual and delivered a powerful speech encouraging all Australians to walk together towards reconciliation.
He also delivered a song on tapping sticks that he learned from his grandparents.
All guests, which included our indigenous families, community members and staff, were invited to cleanse in the smoke to ward off bad spirits and take in good ones.
Principal Kelly Bennett said the College was embracing this year’s NAIDOC theme, ‘Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!’.
“Whether it’s seeking proper environmental, cultural or heritage protections, Constitutional change, a comprehensive process of truth-telling, working towards treaties or calling out racism, we must do it together,” she said.
“It’s also time to celebrate the many who have driving and led change in our communities over generations – they have been the heroes and champions of change, of equal rights and even basic human rights.
“The relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians needs to be based on justice, equity and the proper recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights.”
Guests enjoyed a breakfast following the ceremony.
