Aboriginal Education News
Yaama,
We are looking forward to celebrating NAIDOC Week at St Kevin’s on Thursday 24 June. We’ve planned a Prayer Service, barbecue and lots of fun and educational activities. Together with Australians from all walks of life across Australia, we celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
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Thursday 24 June 2021
Morning Prayer Service 9.15am in the Hall (all parents welcome)
Art activities
Free CoVid Safe Lunchtime Barbecue for kids – sausages on bread
Aboriginal Dance and Games |
We will also have for each child…
- NAIDOC ‘Respect’ wrist bands
- NAIDOC temporary tattoos
NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. Its origins can be traced to the emergence of Aboriginal groups in the 1920′s which sought to increase awareness in the wider community of the status and treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
This year’s NAIDOC Theme is
So, what IS ‘Country’?
When we think of the word ‘Country’, we usually think of countries in the world such as France, USA, Australia, Indonesia.
Aboriginal Country
When Aboriginal people use the English word 'Country' it is meant in a special way. For Aboriginal people culture, nature and land are all linked. Aboriginal communities have a cultural connection to the land, which is based on each community's distinct culture, traditions and laws.
Country takes in everything within the landscape - landforms, waters, air, trees, rocks, plants, animals, foods, medicines, minerals, stories and special places. Community connections include cultural practices, knowledge, songs, stories and art, as well as all people: past, present and future. People have custodial responsibilities to care for their Country, to ensure that it continues in proper order and provides physical sustenance and spiritual nourishment.
(From Mungo National Park website… http://www.visitmungo.com.au/aboriginal-country)
So, ‘Heal Country’ is a call to Action (2021 Reconciliation Week theme) for all of us to heal relationships by knowing and acknowledging our shared history, and sharing responsibility for looking after our environment – the land, waterways, plants, animals, air, people.
I have great faith in our children as our future adult leaders in shaping Australia for the better. Thank you to our teachers, children, parents and carers who all strive to embrace Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, history and cultures. We learn from each other and do great things together.
Take care, God bless and look after your mob.
Yaluu ngali ngamilay (We will see each other again).
Phil Taylor
Aboriginal Education Teacher