National Reconciliation Week 2025 is underway with the theme Bridging Now to Next, encouraging Australians to reflect on the past and move forward together.

As part of this year's program, Gomeroi and Wiradjuri woman Aunty Sharron Mirii Bell led a morning of music, dance and cultural storytelling for young children and families at Downfall Creek Bushland Centre in Magandjin's northside.

The interactive event, 'Bush Kindy – Stomp with Aunty Sharron', invited children to connect with Indigenous stories through song, dance and puppetry.

Aunty Sharron was joined by her daughters on stage, performing a mix of traditional and original children's songs to an engaged crowd.

"For thousands and thousands of years, our mob has been sharing song, music and dance and that's our art form, so I guess it just come naturally," Aunty Sharron told National Indigenous Times.

The session was designed to be fun and accessible, with the aim of educating children about Aboriginal culture through movement and music.

New and old songs were complemented by the presence of puppets representing native animals, including Dinawan (emu), a totem of Aunty Sharron's Gomeroi heritage.

"Our native animals are so unique to this country… I think it's so important to shine that beautiful light on our First Nations animals," she said.

"Emu is one of our totems, so it just sort of made sense to me to have Dinawan be with me.

"I just love the fact that because I'm an Emu woman… I can understand Emu, so that's why he does the whisper instead of a lot of puppets out there are talking."

She said using puppets in this way encouraged children to listen carefully and connect with cultural teachings.

"In our law, one of the first things that we learn is to listen… that helps all the children to calm down and to sit and listen because they've got to listen to what Dinawan says."

Speaking on reconciliation, Aunty Sharron encouraged non-Indigenous people to step out of their comfort zones.

"I think one of the most important things is actually getting out of your comfort zone and getting into the spaces where our mob are," she said.

"There's nothing better than actually sitting with a black fella and having yarns with them or hearing their story or listening to their music."

She hopes families walked away from the event with joy, insight, and connection.

"I hope that first of all, they had fun and that our culture is one of the most richest, beautiful and diverse, so the more we have that connection to our children, the more they will feel comfortable.

"Early childhood is the place to be… they're going to be the caretakers of the land one day."

Aunty Sharron has also featured in the ABC's Playschool

Her music can be found on most major streaming platforms and the Indigenous Insights website.