National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year, to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. 

To celebrate native ingredients, we have collaborated with Ryan James and BSKT Wholefoods on a Messina special. BSKT focus on helping local Indigenous communities with health and working opportunities, and also founded BSKT Native, which aims to promote circular economies in the Indigenous community. They have supplied us with strawberry gum and lemon myrtle from Southern QLD & Northern NSW, where the BSKT Team call home.   Try these unique native ingredients in our new special:

SOME STRAWBERRY GUM FOR MUM Vanilla gelato with strawberry gum puree, passionfruit and lemon myrtle puree and baked meringue

The flavour will be released in all Messina stores on Wednesday 5th July and will be available for one week, or until stocks last.

Ryan James is a proud Bundjalung man of northern NSW who started BKST to showcase Native foods to bring better health to customers in Australia and across the globe, whilst providing a circular economy and opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. 

This year's theme for Naidoc Week is "For our Elders". Elders are the gatekeepers of knowledge, so we caught up with Ryan about what his Elders mean to him. 

Who are your Elders?

My elders are my mum, uncles and aunties. They are the elders who have passed down the knowledge and information to myself and my children to continue traditions which were passed down from my recent grandparents.

What makes them special to you?

Outside of being family they are knowledge bearers and teachers of Indigenous culture. They have lived through a transition of Australian history which has to be taught and they have paved the way for our generation to have a better future.

What is a key lesson you learnt from your Elders?

To be grateful for what we have, growing up with a roof over our heads and not having to struggle like my family did in the 60’s is something I'll always be grateful for. Being Saltwater people; my elders have also taught me some key hunting skills when it comes to fishing and navigation. Their knowledge of the land and sea is something I truly cherish.

What does the theme for NAIDOC 2023 For Our Elders mean to you?

For me it means respecting and continuing the fight which they have continued, and cherishing, learning and respecting what has happened and moving forward as one.

How did your Elders help or encourage you to your current success?

They have always been my biggest support team, as well as my guidance. I always ask my aunties and uncles how and why I can make my products or personal life better and always get honest answers.

What's something you will do this NAIDOC to honour your Elders?

I will go see them at the family farm, but continue to reach out and be part of their lives as they have so much knowledge to share and we have so much we can learn.

Find the flavour in all Messina stores from 5th July.