He's a proud Dunghutti man who says working and walking together is vital in sharing knowledge of Indigenous culture and lifestyle.
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Uncle Leo Wright took this year's NAIDOC Week theme of always was and always will be to the Port Macquarie Adventist School community on Friday, July 31.
"I was very proud - and so should the school - to be able to explain why NAIDOC Week is important," he said.
"A school family also made a flag pole and a yarning circle which we used on the day too.
"There was a Welcome to Country, some Aboriginal storytelling, along with fun games and creating Aboriginal-style paintings.
"It was also great to share a lot of dream time stories.
"Importantly, the day is about sharing the history of Australia and raising awareness of how Aboriginal people were treated and how we have come a long way through sharing our knowledge and culture."
Uncle Leo said the day was also about understanding how we can all do things better in the future.
He emphasised the need to work together.
"We have the same dream. We (Indigenous and non-Indigenous) should be connected as one, so we can support and help each other," he said.
The 70-year-old says he enjoys sharing his knowledge with school students.
He also uses his own artworks to tell his story and also to explain Indigenous culture.
We also show Aboriginal artefacts too and explain their use, either for hunting, justice or simply to survive.
- Uncle Leo Wright
"We also show Aboriginal artefacts too and explain their use, either for hunting, justice or simply to survive.
"As a people we have come a long way and we are still here.
"I encourage every young Indigenous person to learn how we have survived and to be proud of your heritage."
He said the Aboriginal flag perfectly explains how Indigenous Australians are part of the land.
"We know this land as Mother Earth and we value all the land and we would never destroy this land.
"We are part of the land and we need to share with everyone how we are connected. It is important," he said.
"I'm a proud Aboriginal person but I'm also very proud that non-Indigenous people are now wanting to know more about our connection, particularly when we share our storytelling.
"If you give people the truth they want to know more and more about our survival," he said.
Uncle Leo said he encourages more sharing of information and knowledge.
"We believe there is a God of creation so we know we are nothing without him.
"He created this world and he created us - God is number one in our culture and we are second.
"This is a big country. All we want is to live and work together equally."
Also helping Uncle Leo during NAIDOC Week celebrations at the school were Kevin and Lionel who shared stories through dance.
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