President Adeang receives traditional welcome in Canberra
His Excellency President David
Adeang's visit, 23 May, in the Australian Capital Territory started
with a traditional Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony at Mt.
Ainslie Summit, conducted by Ngunnawal Elder Aunty Serena Williams
and family as traditional custodians of the Canberra region.
President Adeang greeted his hosts
in his native Nauruan, Ekamawir Omo, and paid his respects to the
past, present and emerging custodians of the land.
"The warmth that embraces us this
morning through this smoking ceremony is a sign of your genuine
hand of friendship extended to me and my delegation," the President
said.
"I thank you sincerely for the
protection you have bestowed on me as I begin my travel through
your beautiful country to meet and engage with various
representatives of your government on matters of great importance
between our two countries."
President Adeang highlighted
similarities in the two cultures' manner of greeting and links to
the land.
"I see elements of my own Nauruan
culture in the way you have welcomed me this morning. Like
you, land for us is our identity, our heritage and our connection
to our past. Land is family and through this moving ceremony
we all feel connected somehow through our intrinsic roles as
custodians of our one home - our blue pacific continent."
Following the morning's welcome
ceremony President Adeang visited the Australian War Memorial, led
by Acting Director Major General Brian Dawson AM CSC; stopping at
the Honour Roll before laying a wreath at the grave of the Unknown
Soldier in the Hall of Memory.
President Adeang is in Canberra to
attend a meeting for the Nauru Intergenerational Trust Fund.
ENDS///