The power of storytelling through dance was the focus of Ross Hill Public School’s NAIDOC celebrations on Monday.
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Buddy Hippi spent six weeks with the school’s Indigenous students, teaching them several traditional dances for the event.
“He’s very passionate about it and so knowledgeable,” teacher Christina Evans said. Around 150 children danced for the large audience of students and families, which spilled out of the school hall.
“We are not dancers, we are storytellers,” Buddy told them.
“We tell our stories through dance.”
The NAIDOC theme ‘because of her, we can’ remained front and centre.
“We honour (Aboriginal women) their place, their contributions and their legacy,” principal Deb Baker said.
“When this country was invaded in 1788, the first thing they did was take our men away. So our women have been carrying us for a long time,” Buddy said.
Kobe Hippi and Bud Kent performed the smoking ceremony.