Deadly Dancers in Mullumbimby – Photo Tree Faerie.
Deadly Dancers are celebrating their ten-year anniversary at NAIDOC week at Mullumbimby High School.
Each year during the months of May and June Indigenous students begin to rehearse and prepare for the annual NAIDOC week celebrations. For the past 10 years Indigenous students from Mullumbimby High School and its feeder primary schools have been privileged to have had a descendant of the Gamillaroi Bigambul tribes and renowned professional traditional dancer, Dhinawan to not only teach and train them in traditional dances but also to foster within them an awareness and pride in their culture.
Dhinawan began working with students a decade ago in Mullumbimby High School after the successful pilot program at Brunswick Heads Primary school, which lead to the establishment of the student dance troupe called ‘The Deadly Dancers’.
This year’s NAIDOC week celebration will mark the 10th year of the program with a special assembly that will be held at Mullumbimby High School Hall at 10:30 am on Monday June 6.
Aboriginal education officer and Wiradjuri elder, Scott Sentance, along with Mullumbimby High School teacher Steve Strong, were responsible for establishing the Corroboree Program that started with 20 students performing at a couple of schools. It has now expanded to a capacity of over 65 students aged 5-17, five schools and more than 15 performances throughout the region per year.
Coordinator of the program, Scott Sentance, said that over 600 students have participated in the program over the years. He has seen many students who started with limited knowledge of their heritage develop into proud Indigenous cultural leaders and strong, active community members.
Mullumbimby High School principal, Donna Pearson, said that she has seen students make huge improvements in their engagement, learning and attendance after being involved in the program.
‘The students develop a sense of belonging and being an important part of the school that values and recognises their culture’, says Ms Pearson. ‘We would like everyone to feel welcome to join us in the Mullumbimby High School Hall on this auspicious occasion with morning tea provided afterward.’
More information please contact Karen Gross on 6684 2600
The Deadly Dancers will dance their legs off to celebrate the dance school’s ten-year anniversary at NAIDOC week at Mullumbimby High School.
This is an exceptional example of real Reconciliation within our Byron Shire.
Strong Aboriginal leaders empowering our jarjum (children) and their families, a local high school that has dared to lead by sharing its resources and allowing the Aboriginal community to teach and practice culture in and outside of the classroom.
Congratulations to all of those involved!
I love the Deadly Dancers.