We-Akon Dilinja Ceremony

Overview

Once again, St Kilda is set to kick off January 26 with a special dawn ceremony commemorating the ​​rich, diverse culture of our land's First People. Back for its fifth edition, We-Akon Dilinja will see the Boonwurrung Land and Sea Council (BLSC) present an inclusive, reflective morning of music, readings and a smoking ceremony at St Kilda's Alfred Square from 5.45am.

Speaking to this year's theme of 'Remembrance, Reflection and Recognition', BLSC Chairman N'arweet Jason Briggs said, "The mourning ceremony will celebrate through song and performance the resilience of the Boonwurrung People and invite fellow citizens to share the acknowledgement of the past and present, acknowledging what we can learn from the past — rather than being chained by it — in order to create a better future".

The morning will feature a Welcome to Country and introduction by Parbinata Dr Carolyn Briggs AM, along with traditional Boonwurrung songs and performances, a tribute to past elders, readings and a smoking ceremony led by Willie Pepper.

Once again, the We-Akon Dilinja Ceremony is being supported by The National Australia Day Council and will be live-streamed online for those who can't make it in person.