An extra edition of our newsletter this month with some extra events of interest, not included in our previous newsletter – some associated with the ACT Heritage Festival, others around ANZAC Day commemorations.
For other events coming up, see our first April newsletter: ANTaR ACT – April 2024 Newsletter – ANTaR ACT.
ACT Heritage Festival
The ACT Heritage Festival runs from 13 to 28 April and includes a number of events around First Nations experience, history and culture. Some of these are already booked out – others of interest highlighted below, bookings required. For the full program, see: Heritage Festival – Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate – Environment (act.gov.au).
- Winanggaay Ngunnawal Language Workshop Thursday, 18 Apr, 2:00 pm and Sunday, 28 Apr, 10:30 am
- Ngunawal & National Capital Black Mtn. Saturday, 27 Apr, 9:30 am
- ‘Yeribee’ Indigenous experiences Australian Parliament House, 12noon on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday to Sunday 28 April
- Wonder Women of Vision Pt 2: Aunty Agnes Shea Tuesday, 23 Apr, 5:30 pm
- Wildbark Cultural Community Day Saturday, 27 Apr
ANZAC Day
There are two events related to First Nations experiences on ANZAC Day – one to honour those Indigenous Australians who have served in the Australian forces, and another to call for recognition of the Frontier Wars.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commemorative Ceremony
This commemorative ceremony is conducted to honour those Indigenous Australians who have served in the Australian forces since 1901. It is hosted by members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans and Services Association (ATSIVSA).
This ceremony is held after the Anzac Day Dawn Service at “For Our Country”, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service Memorial.
More information: The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commemorative Ceremony | Australian War Memorial (awm.gov.au)
The Frontier Wars March
The Australian Frontier Wars March began on Anzac Day, 25 April 2011, at the instigation of Ghillar Michael Anderson, head of state of the Eualyhi Nation and last surviving founder of the Aboriginal Embassy in Australia’s national capital, Canberra.
Every Anzac Day since 2011, marchers have assembled at the foot of Anzac Parade leading to the Australian War Memorial (AWM). Participants have commemorated those Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who gave their lives defending their homelands from the incursions of British and other colonists from 1788, when the First Fleet arrived in what we now call Sydney. Although not permitted to join Anzac Day veterans commemorating the fallen of overseas wars in which Australians have participated, Frontier Wars marchers hope that one day the AWM and Australians generally will accept colonial frontier conflicts as befitting official recognition as part of Australia’s war history.
From Australian Frontier Wars Marches – Australian Frontier Conflicts. Also: Call for War Memorial to mark First Nations history | NIT.
Assemble 9am, corner Anzac Parade and Constitution Avenue. See poster below for more details.
ANTaR ACT wish to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which Canberra is situated, the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people. We wish to acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region. We would also like to acknowledge other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who may visit this area.