To mark NAIDOC Week, Project Dust, a First Nations contemporary dance group, will take part in NAIDOC in the North, a free celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture at Belco Arts, this Saturday (11am to 2pm).

The group’s founder, Emma Laverty, a Darug woman, also runs dance and movement classes for Aboriginal young people every Sunday at the Dark Carnival martial arts school in Phillip.

Sharing culture and stories through dancing and movement “empowers them to stand up and be proud of themselves,” Ms Laverty said.

Children who were reluctant even to talk have gone on to be leaders in their community, Ms Laverty said, including delivering acknowledgements of country at school.

The classes, Step Together, are part of the Stellar Company‘s STEP Up! movement programs for multicultural or LGBTIQ+ young people, or with physical or intellectual disabilities. They are funded by the ACT Health Directorate under the Healthy Canberra Grants Program.

Emma Davidson, ACT Minister for Population Health, said these were “fun, engaging, really healthy activities where people come together and build not just physical skills but social mental wellbeing skills and cultural connection in a really creative way”.

“Stellar Step UP! delivers better health outcomes for our First Nations community,” Ms Davidson said. “It supports healthy habits in childhood to keep people on their best developmental journey as they grow and reduce the risk of long-term disease later in life.

“Seeing this program delivered during NAIDOC week is a timely reminder to reflect on the experience of First Nations peoples’ experiences with the health system. They are more likely to face issues with chronic and communicable diseases, infant health, mental health and life expectancy.

“This program helps address some of the barriers First Nations people face to live a healthy life. It is led by First Nations people to maintain connection to country, culture and community.”

The Yerrabi Yurwang Child and Family Corporation received a Healthy Canberra Grant for its Yawarj Mara, Strong Pathways program, which runs song, dance, and sports to promote empowerment and wellbeing.