Congratulations to the AFL Cape York House Aboriginal & Torres Strait Dance Teams who competed in DanceRites 2023, Australia’s national First Nations dance competition in Sydney, 25 – 26 November.
The TNQ Drought Hub was so proud to be able to support the teams as they competed in the Top 10 Finals event with the Aboriginal Dance Team receiving runner up.
“Education is a key ingredient in building community resilience. This is why the hub has proudly supported this program. It allows young Indigenous people to maintain a strong connection to culture while improving educational and training outcomes,” said Professor Allan Dale, Program Lead for the hub’s Sustainable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Enterprise Program.
AFL Cape York House is a not-for-profit organisation assisting young people to transition from remote communities across Cape York by working with families and individuals. The Cultural Dance Program was established to encourage the preservation and celebration of these traditions among Indigenous youth.
DanceRites 2023 is a festival of live dance, music and community that celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and was held at Bennelong Point, a First Nations meeting place for tens of thousands of years.
By competing in DanceRites the students showcased traditional dance forms of Far North Queensland and the Torres Strait Islands to promote cultural understanding and strengthen community bonds.