essays > Ceremony welcoming an Elder

I remember attending a very public ceremony and celebration at Campbelltown (part of Sydney). The occasion was saying thankyou to a man who had had a significant impact on local youth in lifting their opportunities and motivating them to live better lives.

He was very ill, and could no longer do the work. It was a night of many different types of music and dance. The high point was when an elder from the Maori people of New Zealand, and an aboriginal elder placed a cloak that was covered in feathers over his shoulders. It was a symbol that he was an Elder. I guess the feathers would symbolize that it was a role he could bear lightly.

Love Laurence
Live, Love, and Laugh

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