2020 NAIDOC Week celebrations in Kakadu

Jabiru and Kakadu were apart of a magnificent NAIDOC Week recently – a week which celebrated and recognised Aboriginal culture and heritage with the theme of NAIDOC this year, ‘Always Was Always Will Be’. This resonated with a lot of us, not only in this community but around the nation.
The week kicked off with a flag raising ceremony which included Elders and youth from Jabiru Area School and a Welcome to Country by Mirrar representative Corben Mudjandi. This was followed by a public health supremo which included outreach services from Darwin, Alcohol & Other Drugs, Donate for Life, Heart Foundation, Menzies, Body Fit NT and NTG Primary Healthcare Outreach.
Energy Resources Australia (ERA) also supplied cold beverages while Warnbi Aboriginal Corporation Executive Director Lynnette Cahill Miller, CEO Ralph Blyth and Benny from West Arnhem Regional Council cooked up a storm on the barbecue.
On the Tuesday, the preview premier of the Desert Pea Media and Red Lily, Health promotion music video was shown at the Mercure Crocodile Hotel with a terrific turnout showcasing the talent of Elders and youth with a strong message of looking after each other, harm minimisation and the importance of culture and language.
Wednesday evening was a time to embrace, celebrate and showcase culture and pride through fashion at the local Marrawuddi Gallery. 
It was a jam-packed event with a terrific evening had by all.  The Deadly Black Beauties led the runway with fashion from North Indigenous Textiles, Magpie Goose, Marrawuddi Gallery, Raw Cloth Darwin and Injalak designed pieces from members of the community. The last ever NAIDOC Fashion Parade as quoted by Andy Ralph happened 30 years ago back in 1990 at the Croc organised by Lyle Cooper and MC by Andy Ralph himself. Andy also said, ‘Let’s hope we don’t have to wait for another 30 years, let’s make it an annual event’.
Thursday night was movie night with the screening of ‘Emu Runner’, which was generously provided by Umbrella Entertainment & Beama Film. Thank you to the Crocodile Hotel for providing the Jim Jim room to show the film in comfort, with thanks to the NLC Jabiru team for providing a delicious barbecue dinner.
The last day of NAIDOC Week celebrations on the Friday was held at Cooinda Lodge Kakadu, which showcased a magnificent yet intimate weaving and painting exhibition. People were lucky enough to be able to participate in the weaving with Elders Violet Lawson and Elizabeth Pettersson. While others watched on in awe as David Cameron, John Lemibanda and Joy Nabegeyo showed absolute skill in the fine line artwork. The skills and knowledge that these women and men showed have been handed down generations. Cooinda also put on delightful and tasty luncheon.
Thank you to all the fantastic stakeholders and service providers who made NAIDOC Week 2020 so fabulous and deadly.

By Patricia Miller and Emma Cameron