Australian South Sea Islander National Recognition Day

Everyone is welkam ’welcome’ to join us in acknowledgement of this day. Connect with culture and learn through storytelling, performance and history talks.

Enjoy Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Australian South Sea Islander and Pacific cultural dance, song and spoken word.

Schedule

• 11:30am: Opening Ceremony and Welcome to Country

• 11.55am: Speeches with Lord Mayor, Clover Moore and Councillor (Waskam) Emelda Davis.

• 12.15pm: Spoken word and music performances

• 12:45pm: Speeches with Pastor Ray Minniecon

• 1pm: Elders history talk with Dr Lilon Bandler and Uncle Tat Whaleboat

• 1.30pm: Cultural dance performance

Australian South Sea Islander National Recognition Day marks the date in 1994 when the Commonwealth Government officially recognised the Blackbirded descendants from the 80 islands of Vanuatu and Solomons as a distinct cultural group.

2023 also marks 176 years since entrepreneur politician Benjamin Boyd illegally trafficked some 200 South Sea Islander men to Eden NSW, to slave alongside Maori and First Nations peoples. On this day we seek to reconcile and remember through truth telling and resilience of an untold shared Australian history.

Bookings are recommended for this free event.

We aim to deliver inclusive and accessible events. If you have any particular access or communication needs, please contact Tim Windsor, City of Sydney area manager youth and community on 02 9265 9333.