"We don't want wars in this country. We don't want hate and racism in this country.
"We perform sacred dances and ceremonies for you to enjoy and see our ancient traditions," Uncle Max told an attentive crowd gathered around the smoking fire pit at the WugolOra ceremony at Barangaroo on Thursday morning.
Nearly 2000 people attended the event, organised by the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet, which commenced with a smoking ceremony led by the Koomurri Aboriginal Dance Troupe.
"We were paying respects to Mother Earth and asking permission to be here," said Clarence Slockee, who helped make the bark nawi (canoe) carried by the troupe.
Related Content
"For us, it's about reconnecting ancient songlines."
Just after 8am the Australian and Aboriginal flags were raised in concert on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
A 150-strong choir headed by Jacinta Tobin and Nardi Simpson gathered around the sandpit to sing Budjari Gunyalungalung Baraya-la (Let's Sing the Good Dreaming) to a swelling crowd.
As the choir finished, Yvonne Weldon, chairwoman of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, addressed the audience.
"Aboriginal people are the most diverse and sustainable people in this country," she said.
"Our voices must be heard. But don't just hear us, listen to us.
"This always was and always will be Aboriginal land. We have survived," she said to cheers from the audience.
The ceremony was organised as a celebration of shared history, said Amanda Wilson, the executive director of community engagement and communications at the Barangaroo Delivery Authority.
"Members of the public responded beautifully to the event," she said.
"I think there were a lot of Indigenous participants in the crowd. What's really pleasing for people is coming together."
Barangaroo is a significant Aboriginal cultural heritage site, named after a Cammeraygal woman who is remembered as a significant leader of her people at the time of European colonisation.