Mabo Day to focus on cultural knowledge and experience 

 
 

Charles Darwin University’s (CDU) Indigenous Academic Support Unit will celebrate the upcoming Mabo Day with a unique cultural event.

Murray Island Elder, Mr Doug Bon will talk about his memories of the first Mabo Day, on June 3, 1992, and the implications of the Government’s proclamation for the inhabitants of Murray Island.

The event will be an opportunity to listen to a Torres Strait Island Elder give his perspective of the civil and human rights issues that emerged from the Mabo Native Title struggle, and how they apply to land and equity rights for Indigenous people in Australia today.

Elder Bon’s presentation will be followed by a performance by the Mer Peibre Cultural Dance Troupe, which will present a number of traditional Murray Island dances and songs.

As part of the cultural event, a traditional Murray Island kaikai luncheon, cooked and prepared by Murray Island women, will be provided. 

Guests can sample traditional cuisine such as chicken curry and rice, damper cooked in an underground pit, yam, sweet potatoes and pumpkin in coconut cream and turtle stew.

The Mabo Day celebrations will be held at the seminar room, Blue Building 3, School of Indigenous Knowledge, Casuarina Campus, on Tuesday June 3, from 10.30am to 1.30pm.

All are welcome to attend and the traditional kaikai luncheon will be free.

For more information, contact Aurelie Girard: aurelie.girard@cdu.edu.au or: 8946 7786.