NSW Aboriginal Land Council reaffirms support for Saltwater Freshwater

9 December 2016

The NSW Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) has welcomed the return of Saltwater Freshwater to Coffs Harbour for Survival Day next month.

NSWALC Chair Roy Ah-See said NSWALC had committed $25,000 to support the event which celebrates the music, art and culture of the Gumbaynggirr, Biripi, Dunghutti and Worimi nations.

"Saltwater Freshwater celebrates survival, diversity and pride and it's a great opportunity for non-Aboriginal people to celebrate the strength of our culture."

NSWALC Councillor for Mid-North Coast Peter Smith said more than 15,000 people attended Saltwater Freshwater when it was last held in 2015.

"The strength of Saltwater Freshwater is that it's owned and operated by 10 Local Aboriginal Land Councils in the Mid-North Coast region.

"It's self-determination, it's a celebration of survival, diversity and pride.

"Saltwater Freshwater allows us a platform to pass on traditional Aboriginal cultural knowledge to our young people and to equip them with the knowledge they need to be our future leaders."

NSWALC - the largest member-based Aboriginal organisation in Australia - will have a stall at Saltwater Freshwater with information about the Land Rights network in New South Wales.

NSWALC is also providing support to Yabun which will be held in Sydney on Survival Day.

For further information about Saltwater Freshwater visit http://saltwaterfreshwaterfestival.com.au/

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Media contact: Andrew Williams 0429 585 291