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Ngarbal Gamilaraay artist Jeremy Morgan Worrall has long dreamt of designing a NAIDOC Week poster.
This year, his artwork was finally selected as the festival's official artwork.
"I've been in this competition every year for the past six years and this year I've been chosen. And it just felt like such an honour. And I just felt really proud of myself, but also proud of my family who's been supporting me. I was over the moon really. "
Titled 'Ancestral Lines', the work depicts five figures, each representing a group of family members or ancestors.
While the colours are contemporary, the elaborate designs are inspired by the traditions of his homelands in northern New South Wales.
"Most of the time they are focused on the linework that can be found in tree scarring and shield making and burn painting and stuff like that. Below those characters are those kinds of lines that are meant to be moments in time and knowledge and experiences that they have learned that get passed down onto the next generation; and that influence that generation."
The poster is a stunning visual reflection of this year’s NAIDOC Week theme 'The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy'.
For Jeremy, the next generation is testament to generations past.
"What I wanted to try and show was that you can't really move forward without acknowledging the past and being aware of others that came before you that allowed you to be where you are today, and so I wanted a way to show that, and a way to honour my ancestors, and to show that connection and what I've learnt from them."
Professor Lynette Riley is the chair of Aboriginal Education and Indigenous Studies at the University of Sydney; and co-chair of the NAIDOC Committee.
She says - at a time when Indigenous young people are disproportionately represented in jails and detention centres - the committee wants to highlight the incredible potential of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth.
"The things we were really distressed about is the way our youth is constantly diminished and demeaned in the media. We thought it was really important that we started to look at what it is that our young people bring to our society - the strength, the resilience they have. They are our future leaders, they are our legacy, and we want you to understand that."
NAIDOC Week began as a protest movement, to draw attention to the oppressive laws and multiple injustices imposed on First Nations people.
In 1938, as Australia celebrated 150 years since the First Fleet landing, Aboriginal activists staged a 'Day of Mourning', leading a march of more than 1,000 people in Sydney.
The rally became an annual event, and in the 1950s, moved to July - no longer just a protest, but a celebration of Aboriginal culture.
The National Aboriginal Day Observance Committee was formed soon after.
In 1975 the day became a week, expanding in 1991 to recognise the distinct cultural histories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Professor Riley says Indigenous people are still fighting for justice.
"We still do not have the equity and understanding in this country for Indigenous people. We still constantly have to fight for human rights and equity issues, that we still have the highest poverty levels; the lowest levels of education; the lowest of health standards."
Today, the NAIDOC march takes place across several major cities, the culmination of a week of concerts, exhibition, workshops, sports matches and more across the country.
Professor Riley says all Australians are invited.
"So it is that personal interaction with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at local regional and state level that is just so vital. You don't get to know about people, if you don’t get to know Indigenous people personally."
Other key aspects of NAIDOC week are educational resources for schools, and a national televised awards ceremony that celebrates First Nations individuals who have demonstrated excellence in their chosen field.
Trailblazing activist and AFL legend Michael Long has already been named the winner of this year's National NAIDOC Lifetime Achievement Award.
For poster artist Jeremy Morgan Worrall, this year's NAIDOC Week is a time for reflection and hope.
"Part of realising that things are bad is sort of acknowledging that you have to be positive about it, no matter what because to do otherwise is just to give up. And we simply can't do that for our families, we always have to be strong for our families and our people. And I see mob everyday doing so well in life; and it's just so awesome to see how much of our mob are getting uplifted."
