To celebrate the first Youth Week in Narromine and Trangie, the Trangie Lands council organised a cultural activity yarn up with the very respected Uncle Ralph Naden and Aunty Di McNaboe on Wednesday.
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About 58 children attended the day, with 27 travelling from Narromine with Communities for Children and CentaCare.
Children got to experience cooking Johnny cakes with Uncle Ralph followed by a yarn up where they were shown cultural items that included possum cloaks, hand woven baskets and bags and head dresses.
Auntie Di McNaboe explained to the children how they were made and how they are used to collect the skins and plants to make what they needed to survive.
The children also got to experience boomerang throwing and watched in awe as Uncle Ralph threw a spear.
Traditional dancing was also part of the day with the children split into groups learning traditional dance methods and telling stories through dance.
After a barbecue lunch the children took part in a cultural walk down to the Goan Waterhole where they looked for interesting stones, shells, feathers and trees.
CEO of the Trangie Local Aboriginal Land Council Terrie Milgate said that the Goan Waterhole is the meeting spot of the Wongaibon and Wiradjuri people of Trangie.
“The story is that many years ago the two groups used to meet at the Goan Waterhole to have celebrations, meetings and yarn ups, so it is a pretty special place for the Aboriginal community of Trangie,” said Ms Milgate.
Uncle Ralph also told stories about each piece that was bought back, and related the items to culture.
“All reports from parents have been very positive with the children taking what they had learnt during the day home, telling their dads what they did about making paint out of ochre and painting their faces to put on their own dance performance for their parents,” Ms Milgate said.
Narromine Coordinator of Communities for Children, Ann-Louise Stonestreet said, “It was a wonderful, informative fun day with all youth and children respectful and keen to learn.”
Ms Milgate said that with the success of the day the Trangie Local Aboriginal Land Council will definitely host another Youth Cultural day next year.
“A massive thank you to those that attended the event, the parents for bringing their kids along, CentaCare and Communities for Children, Uncle Ralph, Auntie Di, Auntie Iris, Auntie Diane, Auntie Ruth and Uncle Dick for sharing their knowledge and stories on the day,” Ms Milgate said.
“Another thank you to the Board and staff of the Trangie Local Aboriginal Land Council for helping during the day with setting up, cooking and cleaning up.”