NAIDOC Week is something that has brought Hannah Nelson great joy and love since she was a little girl.
The 29-year-old has connections to local Whadjuk, Ballardong and Yuet tribes and she is a finalist in Miss Naidoc 2019.
She also has a special connection with Nawu country in South Australia.
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READ NOWAfter some nerves she decided to enter Miss Naidoc 2019.
See also Tanika Bennell a Miss Naidoc finalist
It turned out to be a natural transition after having attended many previous Miss Naidoc ceremonies, which prompted people to suggest she enter herself.
“I’ve always wanted to do it and after a few people encouraged me, I decided to do it,” she said.
“I’ve always loved Naidoc since I was a little kid, making kangaroo stew and celebrating my culture,” she said.
“It’s like getting to be up on a pedestal for a week and showing how beautiful our culture is.”
She works as an administration assistant at Rockingham General Hospital and is keen to promote the importance of holistic health in the Aboriginal community.
She said improving health outcomes for Aboriginal communities kept bodies, minds, spirit and culture strong.
She credits the strength of those around her for her love of culture.
“I have a lot of strong women around me. I feel privileged to be an Aboriginal woman,” she said.”
“I think there is a resilience and strength in that.”
She believes things are getting easier for each |generation.
“I do see a change; I have two children and they have it easier, I had it easier and my parents had it easier than my grandparents,” she said.
“There is a lot of racism out there but there is a lot of love from outside of our culture.”
Danara Michael and Samantha Garlett are also finalists representing the Rockingham/Kwinana areas for Miss Naidoc 2019.
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