DaisydreamerSenior Contributor
NAIDOC Week 2021 - Heal Country 🖤💛❤️
NAIDOC WEEK 2021 – Heal Country 🖤💛❤️
We acknowledge Traditional Owners of the lands we join the SANE Forums from today, and celebrate the connections to Country, knowledge and stories. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging and extend that respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples here today.
NAIDOC Week (4th-11th of July) is a time to come together and celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
This year, the theme of NAIDOC week is Heal Country, which calls on us to embrace and celebrate the cultural knowledge, understandings and practices of First Nations people to protect and care for country including land, water and scared sites, and promote healing of country for future generations.
Over the last two years, we have seen natural disasters such as bushfires and floods, and the impact that has had on land, water and people. First Nations cultural knowledge and understandings have protected and maintained country for many generations, and this knowledge is essential in protecting and sustaining country for future.
Healing country starts with each and every person embracing and celebrating culture. It also calls for broader social and political change to ensure a better future.
How will we be celebrating NAIDOC week here on the forums?
This week, we invite you to share and celebrate country with us here in the forums.
This is a time to learn more about the country you come from, share how you connect to country and promote the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
During this discussion we will invite you to share what country you come from (this might include where you were born or where you live). We will also ask about what is special to you about the country you come from, and how you can promote and support the voices of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, organisations and communities to heal country. This includes sharing stories, resources, media, knowledge and celebrating culture.
I want to acknowledge that some resources and stories shared in this space as part of this discussion may include voices and stories from those who have passed away.
Let’s get started:
- What country do you come from?
Early this week, I found this illustration by Gubbi Gubbi woman Maggie Jean Douglas that I love. Maggie was also the designer of this year’s NAIDOC Week Poster. You are welcome to use this to share which country you come from.
If you aren’t sure what country you come from, this week is an opportunity to connect to country and learn more.
- Tell us about the country you are from. What is special about the country you are from and what can you do to connect to country?
You are welcome to share photos and stories of country provided it meets the anonymity guidelines.
- Share resources, articles and media that you are seeing this NAIDOC week, especially those that promote the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
Keep an eye out for what Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander peoples, communities and organisations are doing in your area, and how you can support the work and initiatives to heal country.
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Open, respectful, honest, and safe discussions are important for all of us to come together. To keep this space safe and respectful of the diverse experiences of our community, we ask that all members refresh their understanding of the community guidelines in advance so that we can make this discussion inclusive and welcoming.
If you feel distressed during this discussion, there are support options available to you. You can start a new discussion on the Forums and talk to others, contact the SANE Support Counselling team on 1800 18 7263 (Monday to Friday 10am to 10pm AEST) or find crisis support options here.
