Babana hosts World Indigenous Peoples Day

This year, on 14 August, a celebration to mark the Day was held at the Sydney Town Hall. Redfern Aboriginal men’s group, Babana (“Brother” in the Dharuk language) hosted the four-hour event, which comprised a welcome to country and smoking ceremony on the steps of the Town Hall, and speakers addressing Australia’s key role in multi-national cultural diversity including MC Mark Spinks of Babana, Councillor Robyn Kemmis (representing Lord Mayor Clover Moore who was unfortunately unwell), and Shane Phillips (“Mr Redfern”) of the Tribal Warrior Association.

Phillips called on Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to support one another. “We should spend at least 70 % of our time and energy on celebrating the positives, and only 30% on the negatives,” he lamented. “I’m so proud of Aboriginal peoples and what they’ve achieved. All of us have roles – performers, sportspeople, community workers. You are all community leaders,” he said.

The afternoon featured drumming, dancing, choirs, bands and musicians from all over the world. The Doudoumba Drums of Africa was a big hit with the audience. As was the country-styled Sharnee Fenwick Band. Fenwick won the Young Deadly of the Year in 2006 at the Opera House and has a song nominated for Song of the Year in 2007.           ::.

Photo: Andrew Collis - The Sharnee Fenwick Band

Photo: Andrew Collis - The Doudoumba Drums of Africa