By VICTORIA STONE-MEADOWS
THE ninth annual Belgrave Survival Day saw hundreds of people turn out to Borthwick Park in Belgrave to celebrate the continuation and strength of Indigenous culture.
Survival Day is held on 26 January each year and acknowledges the survival of Indigenous heritage and culture, 200 years after the European arrival in Australia.
The theme for this year’s Survival Day was ‘No Room for Racism’, bringing together people from different cultural backgrounds to appreciate the multiculturalism of modern Australia.
Crowds from all over the Yarra Ranges and further afield attended the day where elders of the local Wurundjeri people and elders of other first nations spoke of their heritage and history.
The ceremony was officially kicked off by Wurundjeri elder Uncle Bill Nicholson, who spoke passionately about acknowledging the past to be able to move forward.
Uncle Bill Nicholson then conducted a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony that all in attendance were invited to participate in.
The event was overseen by MC Uncle Peter Rotumah of Gunditjmara and Bunitj peoples who spoke of the history of his peoples and the importance of recognising the vast history of Indigenous people.
There was also a didgeridoo meditation performed by Gnarnayarrhe Waitaire and traditional dances performed by the Djirri Djirri dance crew.
During the dance performance, members of the crowd were invited to dance along with the Djirri Djirri crew and many took the opportunity to do so.
“Black and white and people of all background dancing together like that is one of the strongest symbols of reconciliation I see today,” Uncle Bill Nicholson said.
The headline act was singer songwriter Uncle Kutcha Edwards of the Mutti Mutti people with musical performances by The Deans and the Mullum Mullum Choir and Hip-Hop Crew.
With stalls and family friendly activities, Survival Day gave everyone a chance to connect with the traditional custodians of the land and learn more about the rich history of Indigenous culture in Australia.
