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Published 29 August 2022, updated 30 August 2022
In pictures: Australian South Sea Islander National Recognition Day
People came together at events to connect with culture and learn through storytelling, performance, history talks and panel discussions.
Flag raising at Sydney Town Hall
Despite the cold morning, a large crowd gathered to see the Australian South Sea Islander flag fly at Sydney Town Hall on Thursday 25 August. Featuring moving speeches and amazing dance and spoken word performances, the Australian South Sea Islander National Recognition Day got off to an emotional start. This is the first time the City of Sydney has recognised the date as well as the history and culture of Australian South Sea Islander people.
- Credit: Abril Felman / City of Sydney
Smoking ceremony at Redfern Community Centre
Rowena Welsh-Jarrett from the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council performed a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony to open the event at Redfern Community Centre.
- Credit: Abril Felman / City of Sydney
Dancers got the crowd up and moving to keep warm
Kerker Mi Kuik and Uncle Tat Whaleboat, Pasifika Jewels and Wantok Solomon Island Dancers Sydney performed cultural dances at Redfern Community Centre. People in the crowd joined them on stage to learn some moves and warm up. For the audience, it was a special moment to see the next generation proudly dance and sing songs that have been close to their hearts.
- Credit: Abril Felman / City of Sydney
Biggs685 performs centre stage
Everyone enjoyed listening to Elijah Tovio also known as Biggs685 performing spoken word and hip hop at the Redfern Community Centre event.
- Credit: Abril Felman / City of Sydney
Stitching colourful embroidery
People came together at Darling Square Library to embroider motifs for the centrepiece of the Australian South Sea Islander commemorative quilt. The workshops were facilitated by Australian artist Helen Fraser and the Yumi Olgeta: Crafting a More Inclusive Democracy team.
The session finished with people sharing the story of their relatives who were forcibly taken to Australia. It was moments like these that showed the power of an official day of recognition.
- Credit: Abril Felman / City of Sydney
