Does NAIDOC Week Heal Country?
An insightful article about NAIDOC week and what you can do to support Indigenous communities. Australian Culture Week is held in the first week of July, where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s history, culture, and achievements are celebrated and recognized. NAIDOC Week is a chance for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories, as well as take part in celebrations of the world’s oldest and longest-living cultures. Take a look at the following article for further information about NAIDOC resources and what you can do to support indigenous communities.
Elders Past, Present, And Future…
The National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee is known as NAIDOC. When Aboriginal communities boycotted Australia Day, which led to the Day of Mourning, NAIDOC Week was born out of their protests and activism. NAIDOC Week honors Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s history, culture, and achievements. ‘Heal Country,’ this year’s theme, urges for further acknowledgment and protection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage. Many NAIDOC celebrations were postponed due to limitations in place across Australia, but thankfully, there are various protocols and laws in place that allow the revelry to continue safely. For all teachers in need of proper information about the topic, take a look at NAIDOC resources. Further, Australians Together also provides excellent NAIDOC resources on its own for all individuals who want to help educators address The Australian Curriculum: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Culture cross-curriculum priority. More than 500 First Nations groups occupied the continent we now call Australia before the British invasion, totaling around 750,000 people. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures have evolved over 60,000 years, making First Nations Peoples the world’s oldest living culture guardians. Each tribe had a deep bond with the land and was responsible for its upkeep. Aboriginal communities are structured hierarchically. Elders can wield a great deal of influence, even though there is no single leader (as the early explorers imagined). In certain societies, men and women are equal elders, whereas, in others, only a few men have the position. Elders are commonly addressed as “uncle” or “aunty,” which are respectful terms in this context. They’re reserved for persons who are respected, usually older folks who have earned them. They don’t have to be senior citizens. Today, disrespect for seniors is increasing. Many elders in rural communities in the Northern Territory are intelligent and should be leaders. However, they are not supported since their community has lost faith in them. Non-Aboriginal people do not listen to young Aboriginal people.
Culture Week Australia
To make a difference and stop this from happening, there are a few things you can do, such as learning about Indigenous people today, supporting their businesses and listening to their music, getting involved in significant dates, as well as getting your school, business or church involved and exploring your local area. Australians Together offers many NAIDOC resources for teachers and people wanting to learn more about the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee week.
