BHP Group Limited

07/04/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/03/2022 19:42

Meet Kim-Marie NAIDOC Week 2022

As part of NAIDOC Week 2022, some of the amazing people at BHP have shared what NAIDOC week means to them.

Kim-Marie Rodd is a Minang, Goreng, Wongatha woman, who works on Banjima Country and now lives in Whadjuk Boodjar.

She joined BHP over eight years ago as a Trainee Field Technician with Geoscience and is now an Operations Supervisor at our Central Pilbara Hub, covering Mining Area C, South Flank and Yandi.

She has supervised a range of tasks and diverse people over the years, from heritage walks with Traditional Owners to all things related to Geoscience, including earthworks, drilling and helicopter surveys.

What does NAIDOC week mean to me?

Spending time with family, passing on knowledge to younger generations. Being open to sharing my story and my family's stories of our journey to this day.

How will I celebrate NAIDOC Week?

I am looking forward to the activities on offer onsite from Sunday, but am equally excited to be at home from Tuesday to celebrate NAIDOC week with my family. I'm particularly looking forward to taking my niece and nephews to NAIDOC week events, in particular Bindaran Puppet in Perth.

What does the theme 'Get up! Stand up! Show up!' mean to me?

It means being proud of who I am, where I have come from and my journey. Being a strong female leader to my family, community, and workplace, breaking generational cycles and educating the wider community on indigenous culture.

What does the Uluru Statement from the Heart mean to me?

Building a better understanding of Aboriginal culture not only here in Australia, but all over the world. When I've travelled to other countries outside of Australia I am always asked where I am from, and rarely does anyone understand the meaning or sometimes even the existence of Aboriginal or Indigenous Australian. My hope is that our people can share our stories far and wide and reconnect with our people and lands.

Thank you to Kim-Marie for sharing your story. We encourage everyone to play their part to Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! for NAIDOC Week.