Geraldton celebrates NAIDOC week theme of Keeping the Fire Burning with cake, storytelling and culture

As NAIDOC week begins for 2024, the Geraldton community is gearing up to celebrate the meaning and importance of events, which pass down important cultural lessons.

The theme for NAIDOC week this year is Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud.

Geraldton Regional Aboriginal Medical Service (GRAMS) Indigenous smoking coordinator Brent Walker said the theme was about celebrating the lineage of culture through storytelling and the passage of traditions.

“Most mob pass on traditions through stories and storytelling, so that’s how we’re keeping the flame burning,” he said.

GRAMS’ NAIDOC week events included an opening ceremony on Sunday, cake cutting on Monday and the amazing race on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, GRAMS will host their big breakfast event, followed by the NAIDOC awards on Thursday.

The week will be closed out with Yamatji Southern Regional Corporations event on Saturday, including a drone light show, which will tell local First Nations stories using drones as a medium.

The drone and light show named First Lights — Winthu Wangga, was created by local Wajarri, Badimaya, and Wilunyu woman Dr Charmaine Papertalk-Green in collaboration with artist Nicole Dickerson.

It will be visible on the Geraldton Foreshore on Saturday, July 13 with activities from 4.30pm before the show begins at 7pm.

The City of Greater Geraldton will host an activity day on Tuesday, July 9 at Rocks Laneway, where activities are free.

From 4.30pm there will be live music, food tasting and performances from Binmanga Dance Group with the drone show expected to start at 7pm.