NAIDOC Week: Learning from the oldest culture in the world

By Adair Winder

Jul 7, 2022

Connected through culture: First Nations Echuca Regional Health employee Corey Atkinson initiating the smoking ceremony. Photo by Steve Huntley

First Nations employees from Echuca Regional Health were thrilled to share their culture with fellow staff members during NAIDOC Week celebrations.

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Staff gathered in ERH’s new Malka room and courtyard for a Welcome to Country, smoking ceremony and the playing of a didgeridoo by fellow employee Corey Atkinson.

Aboriginal liaison officer Aunty Sonya Parsons said NAIDOC Week was an opportunity for the wider community to acknowledge the resilience of Aboriginal communities.

“It’s an opportunity for us to share our culture and teach others about our dance, our song, our history and our stories,” Aunty Sonya said.

“Smoking ceremonies are a part of our culture. When we invite you to a smoking ceremony we are grounding you to mother earth, connecting you to country and cleansing you.”

The Malka room (Malka meaning protective shield) is a space for Aboriginal community members, who have a loved one in the hospital, to come together and support one another through what can be a stressful time.

ERH was recently donated a new Aboriginal firepit for future smoking ceremonies by Firepits R Us in Kyabram.

The firepit has been designed with an image of a long neck turtle (the emblem of the Yorta Yorta Nation) and ERH’s logo.

The NAIDOC ceremony on July 5 was the first of many times the firepit will be used.