This significant cultural event brings connections, stimuli curriculum, respect, acknowledgements, advocacy, reconciliation, social justice, truth telling and innovation to the forefront to what authentic and meaningful practices in Early Childhood and Care Environments can look like.
We know that some service's viewpoints, including Educators, feel that celebrating NAIDOC once a year could be looked at as tokenism because it is only celebrated once a year. This view is restricting on many levels; NAIDOC curriculum planning could set up Educators on a journey of discovery, finding new objectives that have not been thought about before. Each year, different NAIDOC themes will provide opportunities for new provocations that will bring so much learning and cultural change into your service.
Its origins have been reported back since the 1920's and was formed to increase awareness in the wider Australian communities of the status and treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
We would like to respectfully acknowledge the many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples over the years that have dedicated their lives to keeping NAIDOC values and key messages alive.
The National NAIDOC Committee have made key decisions on the national celebrations each year which have Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People's voices and representatives from most Australian states and territories, who come together to decide on different themes each year. This theme is very important as it is a collective mantra to raise awareness, and push forward current cultural strategies amongst everyday Australians, not just political circles but from grass roots. Forging forward on many human rights issues because Black History is white history too, NAIDOC celebrations is a process of truth telling and so much more for all Australians to discover, and together we can make lasting cultural change for everyone, from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and non-Indigenous and most importantly for all children.
We would like to encourage everyone to champion institutional structural, collaborative and cooperative change while celebrating those who have already driven and led change in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities over generations.
Learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander trailblazers, where over the years, peoples young and old have provided commitment and passion, and whose contributions have shaped Australia in the public and private arena.
Consider Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples that you know, either in your community or in sports, music, arts and drama, defence, law and order, health, teachers, early childhood, scientists and environmental professions.Take some time to reflect on who you have chosen and why, including what their outstanding achievements are?
This action will speak volumes on how to promote cultural change and the benefits for all Australians.
Download posters and learn about the Artist and the story behind the poster and cultural area the Artist comes from. Share this with the children which in turn will open up conversations so they can share views about NAIDOC. Often children's views and adults' views can be similar and learning together approaches, enriches relationships.
At staff meetings learn about NAIDOC themes in past years, brainstorm what these themes mean to you and come up with ways you can include NAIDOC learning and action processes in your Quality Improvement Plans, Reconciliation Actions Plans, your Service Philosophy and in your education and care environments. After all, NAIDOC is about coming together, so it is worthy for your service to look at from all levels when providing a culturally safe environment. NAIDOC was never meant to be celebrated in isolation, as it is about coming together as a community.
Reflect on the meaning behind each year's NAIDOC theme, and think about what resources you might have or can get, to promote the NAIDOC message theme. To be honest, if the theme makes you feel uncomfortable then that is a good thing as it shows that you have a sensitive heart and the fact that you are reflecting on the theme is a positive start. Not doing anything at all is a missed opportunity for everyone.
Download the poster, share it with the children, including the photo of the Artist, their cultural connections and the story behind the painting.
Download last year's poster from:
www.naidoc.org and share this with the children, letting them know that each year there is a different poster and theme. This is one way to acknowledge the past and present and promote a continuum of change.
Check out:
www.naidoc.org as you will be able to gain more insight and inspiration on how to embed NAIDOC into your program.
In our Raindrops of Diversity online school, you will find blogs and resource tabs offering more information which will support you on your cultural journey.
The tapestry of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples knowledge and skills have always and continue to be woven into Australian cultural diversity.
Celebrating NAIDOC is the jewel in the crown for embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture into your programming and a way to celebrate one of the oldest cultures in the world.
