Loud and proud march kicks off Cairns NAIDOC Week

Cairns’ First Nations people and their supporters have kicked off NAIDOC Week in force with hundreds marching ‘loud and proud’ through the CBD.

Cairns’ First Nations people and their supporters kicked of NAIDOC Week with hundreds marching “loud and proud” throughout the CBD.

The National Aboriginal and Islanders Day Observance Commitee Week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aborginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

NAIDOC Week in Cairns kicked off with a street march on July 5 with chants of “loud and proud, black and strong, fire burns, all day long”. Picture: Bronwyn Farr

The weeks events were launched on Friday with a march from Munro Martin Parklands through the Cairns CBD to Fogarty Park.

Hundreds of people old and young took to the streets shouting a chant of “loud and proud, black and strong, fire burns, all day long,” led by Yidinji Elder and Gimuy Traditional Owner Uncle Peter ‘Bumi’ Hyde.

Yidinji Elder and Gimuy Traditional Owner Uncle Peter 'Bumi' Hyde leads the NAIDOC Week march through the Cairns CBD. Photo: Dylan Nicholson

“It makes me very proud to see so many people here today it just gets bigger and bigger,” Uncle Bumi said.

“It’s a big mob and as an Elder it’s great to see so many young ones here today.

“It is so important to come together on days like this to share stories, build a sense of community and show the world what we do and what we are about.”

The arrival of the march kicked off Friday in the park with a free event bringing the community together with music, interactive stalls, arts and crafts, and dance performances showcasing a rich tapestry of cultural practices and history.

The week will continue with a program of events including an exclusive elders lunch honouring the region’s elders, a NAIDOC breakfast at the Cairns Convention Centre with a cast of impassioned speakers and a trivia night on Thursday at the Cairns Colonial Club.

The events will culminate in the NAIDOC Youth Leadership Forum at St Mary’s Catholic College on Thursday July 18 where year seven to nine students will come together under the theme of “keep the fire burning” to explore, connect, and learn what it means to lead together.

Originally published as Loud and proud march kicks off Cairns NAIDOC Week