The National NAIDOC Committee has selected the artwork of a Torres Strait Islander artist in the annual poster competition as the week-long celebration of Indigenous peoples and their culture draws near.
NAIDOC Week will be celebrated 7-14 July and in 2024 is themed Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud.
Samuawgadhalgal artist Deborah Belyea (pictured), uses fire as a metaphor to illustrate the ongoing maintenance and practice of Aboriginal and Torres Islander culture.
She says her design ‘Urapun Muy’ means ‘One Fire’ in the Kalaw Kawaw Ya language which is spoken in the top western region of the Torres Strait and among the Saibai Island community in Bamaga.
Speaking to NIRS News Ms Belyea says winning the competition was an unreal feeling.
