THOSE who shaped “black history in the Riverland” will be recognised during COVID-impacted NAIDOC Week celebrations this month.
Due to pandemic restrictions, the annual Aboriginal celebration was shifted from July to November (8-15), with programs reshaped and reduced – including across the Riverland.
A flag-raising ceremony – minus the traditional march – in Berri will be the major local event, however local spokesperson Christine Abdulla said the unique circumstances surrounding the 2020 version of NAIDOC Week would be used to start a conversation about the region’s landmark Aboriginal leaders of the past.
“I think one of the things we’ve decided on this year is to acknowledge and recognise our past elders who have paved the way for black history in the Riverland,” Ms Abdulla said.
“Because a lot has happened here in the Riverland and I think it’s really good for all of us to know that history, especially when we get tourists coming through.
“We might develop some sort of honour roll to our Aboriginal community. I’m talking about those people who have paved the way for us – and a lot of elders have done that.”
Ms Abdulla used her personal circumstances to illustrate the importance of acknowledging the role of past elders.
“For example, my sister, Agnes Rigney, ran the Jerry Mason Senior Memorial Centre in Glossop,” she said.
“It was her idea to have that up and running, with a committee behind her.
“I was only a young girl then, and I learned from the elders. I remember having to sit in there, be quiet and listen to what was going on, but it was an awesome lesson…
“So I think it’s time we acknowledge people like that.”
The amended local NAIDOC Week program has seen a string of events cancelled, including the Sunday morning church service, town march, elders’ lunches and other group activities.
Ms Abdulla said the safety of local elders and the wider Riverland community was the major concern for organisers.
“Our elders were always central to our decision making,” she said.
“So, we can’t have any elders lunches this year, but we’re going to try to deliver some meal vouchers to them, so they can go out and have a nice dinner with their friends or a Christmas lunch.
“We quickly came to terms with the fact that we’ve got to be sensible and that there’s always next year.”
Despite items being cut from the program, the traditional flag-raising ceremony will go ahead on the Berri river front, next Monday, sometime between 10am and 11am, with up to 45 people permitted to attend.
“We’ve also got some slide shows on the side of the Bonney Theatre, in Barmera,” Ms Abdulla said.
“People can go past in their cars and have a look at all the Aboriginal artists from the Riverland.”
Despite the limited program, Ms Abdulla predicted NAIDOC Week 2020 would retain its relevance and meaning.
“This year’s theme is all about Aboriginal land: ‘Always was, always will be’,” she said.
“We haven’t got anything much planned for the week, but we’d like to see everyone acknowledge that it is NAIDOC Week.
“We invite not only the Aboriginal community and their families, but also the non-Aboriginal community to learn about our history and everything to do with Aboriginal culture.”