 celebrated 2024 NAIDOC Week with a range of cultural activities across its sites and local communities.){kind=link}
Keep the Fire Burning: MinRes 2024 NAIDOC Week
Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) celebrated 2024 NAIDOC Week with a range of cultural activities across its sites and local communities.
This year’s theme was Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud, and employees and the community were invited to engage in dialogue about the stories, traditions and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Across its regional sites, teams recognised NAIDOC Week with Welcome to Country events, flag raising and smoking ceremonies, sports and social events as well as live performances by local Aboriginal musicians.
At its Perth head office, an address by MinRes managing director Chris Ellison began celebrations and senior Noongar man Danny Ford did the Welcome to Country. MinRes non-executive director Colleen Hayward made a reflection and a didgeridoo performance and traditional dance was performed.
Two collaborative art activities were also delivered, one by Indigenous artist Sam Bobby and the other at MinRes’ creche for kids to enjoy.
Danny Ford delivered local “Lunch and Yarn” cultural sessions with employees invited to learn more about the cultural history of local places, including Walyalup (Fremantle), Wadjemup (Rottnest Island), Kaarta Koomba (Kings Park) and Njookenbooro (Herdsman Lake).
NIADOC themed items were on the menu at Benny’s restaurant and Alba café, with traditional ingredients such as dessert lime, warrigal greens, kangaroo and crocodile highlighted.
A pop-up market was hosted at the MinRes headquarters where Traditional Owners and small business partners sold jewellery, candles and art.
In the community
In Onslow, MinRes hosted a special dinner at its Onslow construction village with Thalanyji Traditional Owners, residents and community members coming together to celebrate NAIDOC Week on Country. There was also a special performance by Aboriginal band Seaside Drifters.
MinRes co-hosted an Elders lunch in collaboration with Thalanyji and the Shire of Ashburton where guests enjoyed a story over arts and crafts activities.
Further north, MinRes sponsored the Kariyarra Aboriginal Corporation’s NAIDOC celebration event celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island culture with traditional food and stories. This included a traditional performance from local Elder Stephen Stewart.
Mineral Resources’ energy team joined Yamatji Southern Regional Corporation to celebrate NAIDOC Week with a relaxing afternoon along the Geraldton foreshore with live music, culture sharing and an award ceremony for the Yamatji people.
NAIDOC Week ended with an immersive cultural experience at the Peedamulla campgrounds. After a traditional dinner, stories were shared through dance, song and storytelling narrated by local Elders.