CELEBRATING the unyielding spirit of our First Nations communities and keeping the fires burning are this year’s themes for national NAIDOC week.

Local Aboriginal corporation, Winda-mara kicked it off with a flag raising ceremony at the Winda-Mara office in Hammond Street, Hamilton on Monday.

National NAIDOC Week is held annually each July across Australia to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

It is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations’ cultures and histories and participate in activities and to stand in solidarity, amplifying the voices that have long been silenced.

Winda-Mara chief executive John Bell said the week was traditionally about celebrating the oldest, continuous living culture on earth.

He sang the praises of the local all-female Koondoon Yarkeen Dance Group who performed for Winda-Mara’s Welcome to Country to launch NAIDOC week celebrations.

“The NAIDOC week theme is keep the fire burning – Blak loud and proud,” he said.

“The dance group are doing dances that are relevant to the area.

“Doing dances in language speaks to that.

“When we think about keep the fire burning, how they’ve been able to reclaim language and dance, which was taken through the missionary days and colonisation, I think the theme today … keep the fire burning, blak loud and proud, we just had a great example of that.”

Winda-Mara Aunty Claudette Lovett gave the Welcome to Country speech.

“You’re on Gunditjmara land today in this very significant time,” she said.

“When you celebrate NAIDOC or any cultural (activities) you are celebrating my history.”

“This is a great opportunity for you to celebrate with us, our survival.”

“Blak, loud and proud echoes a lot of things especially when you look back to October last year – the yes and no vote.

“We are still here and we’re going to remain here.

“We have our Treaty and we have our NAIDOC.

“Treaty is going to be the most significant thing for our mob.

“It’s not taking anything away from non-indigenous people and I would like to dispel that myth.

“We are not taking the land back.

“Our ancestors tried to preserve our land - but it didn’t happen.”

Winda-Mara justice worker, Richard Bamblett lit the fire cauldron for the smoking ceremony and gave a brief description of each of the plants that were used in the fire and their healing powers.

“The fire is a significant part of NAIDOC week and the theme - fire is a very significant part of our culture, particularly Gunditjmara culture.”

Winda-Mara board member Staycee Charles spoke of connection to mob.

“NAIDOC is a very important part of our culture, our community,” she said.

“(It is) to celebrate who we are, our history, our ancestors the fights of colonisation and standing strong and still being here.

“Keep that fire burning - keep the passion, keep the fight.

“We are unapologetically Blak Gunditjmara people.

“As long as we are here, we’re celebrating NAIDOC every day – not just one week out of the year.

“We’re a very proud people.”

  More information on NAIDOC week events is available on Winda-Mara’s Facebook page or at windamara.com.au