This year’s Act-Belong-Commit Undalup Makuru NAIDOC Week Festival kicks off in Busselton on Saturday to will celebrate Aboriginal culture.
The week long festival will celebrate the importance, resilience and richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages.
Undalup Association chairperson Iszaac Webb said makuru was the Noongar season for June and July, when the weather was cold and the first rains came as the Boodja (country) cooled down and kuljuk (black swans) and kurnark (ducks) began to pair up.
Mr Webb said mia mia (traditional houses) were constructed with boonur wannang and bewel (peppermint trees and paperbark) to make them waterproof.
“A karla, kaala (fire) was made near the entrance of the mia to draw in warmth creating central heating. Yonga booka (kangeroo skins) were also worn for extra warmth,” he said.
The event will open this Saturday with an the art exhibition at the Art Geo Courthouse from 2pm to 4pm, followed by cultural workshops on Thursday and Friday, and a family fun day on Saturday from 2pm:
The Cultural workshops lead by the Undalup cultural leaders will commence on:
- Thursday, July 6 from 11am to 1pm find out about bush foods and medicines with traditional custodian Wayne Webb
- Thursday, July 6 from 2pm to 4pm join in a cultural weaving workshop with Leanne Taylor
- Friday, July 7 from 10am to 2pm a Nyoongar wellbeing and sports activities will be held with with Ashley Fitzgerald
- Friday, July 7 2pm to 4pm join in cultural tools and rope making workshops with cultural custodian Iszaac Webb
- Friday, July 7 from 1pm to 2pm learn cultural dance with Baron Kelly Junior
- Saturday, July 8 from 10am to 2pm head along to the family fun day
- Saturday, July 8 from 11am to 12pm join in cultural art activities with Noongar artist Sandra Hill who will share tips on art and a project to create in the workshop
- Saturday, July 8 join in cultural dance performances from 10.30am to 1.30pm.