The theme of NAIDOC Week 2021 is Healing Country, and Bigo is inviting all Australians to listen to these panellists discussing their identity as part of the Indigenous community.
Taking place throughout NAIDOC week (4th July – 11th July), panels have been live-streamed to Bigo Live users, covering a range of topics such as Indigenous arts, bush tucker and keeping Aboriginal history alive through continued education.
Money raised during each of the panels will go directly to the panellists and will help to better fund their ideas, assist with their missions and ladder up to a stronger interconnectedness throughout the community. The funds for panel one will go to an Aboriginal not-for-profit that supports Aboriginal business and economic development.
So far, panels have inclded the Boomalli Aboriginal artists co-operative, led by three Indigenous artists: Wanita Lowe (pictured), Nioka Lowe-Brennan and Maddison Gibbs. Conversations focused on how the Aboriginal arts collective Boomall , hopes to continue building awareness to the Indigenous arts community, the importance of art and expression at Boomalli and how these tie into ‘Heal Country’, this year’s NAIDOC Week theme.
Thursday night saw a panel hosted by teacher, musician and First Nations advocate Merrilee McNaught in conversation with CEO of Wingaru Education Lesley Woodhouse and Tanna Draper Nagas, teacher and First Nations Advocate. They discussed the new national curriculum from an Aboriginal perspective, the importance of children’s education and their role in Aboriginal history.
Tonight will be a panel where entrepreneur Dr Antonio Dottore interviews Aboriginal health management advisor and chef Michele Scarcella on bush tucker traditions and methods.
Scarcella will look to highlight different regional practices through the lens of his intercultural background given his Aboriginal-Italian heritage. Their unique experience showcases technology, social media, live streaming can be forces for good – spreading messages and information for mutual understanding.
For those interested, the panel host room’s Bigo Live ID is 756243703 and it will take place from 5-6pm AEST.
“Celebrating NAIDOC Week is one of the most important times of the year for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. As an Official Bigo Host, I am glad to have the unique opportunity to share my culture as an Aboriginal man and my experiences across my networks which span from the Oceania to the United States and Asia,” says Bigo Live creator, Blayke Tatafu.
“I look forward to participating in these educational panel discussions and celebrating the values and culture of our community during this important time.”
Featured Image Credit: Sharon Hickey
