Yass Valley’s Onerwal Local Aboriginal Land Council and Yass Valley Council will conduct a Flag Raising Ceremony at 10am on Thursday, July 6.

The event will incorporate an Acknowledgment of Country and Smoking Ceremony at the Yass Soldiers Memorial Hall. A community lunch in the Hall at 12pm will follow.

“The lunch is an opportunity for our community to enjoy each other’s company and celebrate our wonderful indigenous culture,” Ngunnawal Elder Ken Bell said. “Everyone in the community is invited and welcome to attend.”

The lunch will include numerous Aboriginal dishes, including Lemon Myrtle Barramundi in Paper Bark and Wattle Seed Tiramasu.

During the lunch, a slide show will be shown that depicts the story of early and contemporary Aboriginal life in Yass. Face painting, jumping castle, games, and a local DJ will entertain children.

The 2017 theme is ‘Our Languages Matter’, which Brad Bell, member of Land Council, said will allow the community to reflect on the Ngunnawal language. 

Mr Bell said the theme coincided with collaboration between Land Council and the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) in reviving the language.

“The Ngunnawal Elders Council has been working with AIATSIS for the past two years, it’s been a long-term goal,” Mr Bell said

On July 1, Land Council will attend the ACT NAIDOC Awards Ball at the Canberra Southern Cross Club.