AARON Simon couldn't feel more proud carrying daughter Izabella along The Boulevarde in Toronto for her first Naidoc Week march.
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"Culture is everything to me and I've come to this ever since I was a kid," Mr Simon said.
"But this is Izabella's first time marching and getting to know her culture.
"She was out of my life for three or four years, so this really means a lot to me and is very special and emotional.
"I want to pass down knowledge to her about everything, where she came from, her tribe, dance, language.
"These are all her mob too."
Mr Simon and Izabella, five, were among the hundreds who attended the Westlakes NAIDOC Family Fun Day on the foreshore, where they reflected on this year's NAIDOC Week theme of voice, treaty and truth and how Australia needs to work together towards reconciliation and better health, education and employment outcomes.
"We need recognition in the constitution," Mr Simon said.
"Employment is a big thing too - we need to be a good example so there's a domino effect and we can break the cycle."
Aunty Zelma Moran, who helped raise the flag, said she wanted Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to write part of the constitution.
"We want a minister to take up the fight for us," she said.
"We also need a treaty, we still own this land."
She said she also wanted to see more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander faces in business, government and as doctors, police and teachers "so we're more represented in the community".
Danielle Rennie works in youth mental health and said she hoped to break down stigma around the illness. "Inter-generational trauma can impact wellbeing and sense of self," she said.
"Disconnection from culture can create a hole and if that isn't filled it can affect wellbeing. Being here and celebrating this culture is empowering, heart warming, it fills my spirit."
Kira Schubert has been painting her son Jerakye's face for daycare this week, but said she dresses him in flag shirts and dot painted shoes throughout the year too.
"Kids are our future," she said. "I want him to teach his kids about our culture too so it doesn't die out."
Aunty Zelma said she told members of the younger generation to "be proud and walk tall".
"Being here is a big yarn up, it's like a big family reunion.
"When we're all together we all listen to one another and share with one another."