NAIDOC Week is celebrated each year in acknowledgement of the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. This week is celebrated in Indigenous communities as well as local councils, schools and community organisations.
The theme of NAIDOC Week 2020, is ‘Always Was, Always Will Be’. This year, NAIDOC Week is focused on recognising that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years. ‘Always Was, Always Will Be’, acknowledges that hundreds of nations and cultures that covered this continent, while treating the land in a sustainable way.
NAIDOC Week 2020, also acknowledges and celebrates that our nation’s story didn’t begin with the documented European contact on the Cape York Peninsula. The first footprints on this continent belonged to Indigenous Australians.
As a college we recognise the significance of NAIDOC week and have worked to create initiatives to inspire students to advocate for this time and it’s importance. Working with our fellow FIRE Carriers we planned the following events; As a part of the First Nations Bedtime Stories Challenge, FIRE Carriers read different dreamtime stories throughout the week. These stories were shared with our community via the STC Instagram and school bulletin. Listen to the stories here:
Welcome to Country
Respect
Malu
The Little Corroboree Frog
During Thursday lunchtime we handed out slices of cake, made from an Indigenous owned and operated company Dreamtime Tuka, as one way to connect with the girls. This offering to students prompted conversations about the importance of NAIDOC Week.
