Naidoc Week officially got underway today with the annual march and flag raising ceremony.
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Locals gathered this morning for the commemorative march along Belgrave St to Services Club Park where the ceremony was held.
CEO of Kempsey Aboriginal Land Council Greg Douglas addressed the crowd and welcomed everyone to Naidoc Week 2019.
"It's so great to see so many people here today, especially the kids who are getting involved," he said.
"I hope everyone has a great week and enjoys the activities the Naidoc committee have organised."
Uncle Bob Smith also spoke at the official opening of Kempsey Naidoc Week and addressed the 2019 theme.
"The 2019 Naidoc theme of Voice, Treaty and Truth is talking about the past and having our voice in the Australian Constitution. We need to have that voice there, it will give us something solid behind us.
"We also need to speak our truth. There will never be true reconciliation unless the truth is recognised and acknowledged.
"A treaty with Indigenous Australians and the government is well supported by us. We are the only country that doesn't have a treaty with it's Indigenous people."
Mayor Liz Campbell was at the flag raising ceremony and reiterated how important this celebration is for the whole community.
"Learning about the Dunghutti language and culture will bring us together," she said.
"With this year's theme of Naidoc Week, I would like to say that wherever I can I will commit to the full constitutional rights of Aboriginal people in Australia.
"As a community we need to come together and share in language and culture."
There are a number of activities throughout the following week for locals to get involved in, you can find a full list of all of the Kempsey Naidoc activities here.
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