First Nations News
First Nations News
The First Nations Committee looks forward to commemorating and celebrating many significant days and events for Indigenous peoples throughout this year and sharing Indigenous perspectives across the school.
See the calendar below for some of these important dates and consider ways you and your family can commemorate or celebrate.
During February we commemorated Apology Day, which marked the 15th anniversary of then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s apology in parliament. Homerooms were invited to view Mr Rudd’s speech and hear the story of ‘Sorry Day’ - by Coral Vass.
We also celebrated the Woi Wurrung language of the traditional owners of the land where Aitken is located. 21 February was International Mother Language Day and staff and students were invited to learn some basic Woi Wurrung language vocabulary and some background information of the language.
Later this month we will unveil the acknowledgement of country plaque which you will see on the left as you enter the reception building of the college. The plaque signifies Aitken’s ongoing commitment to embedding indigenous perspectives into College life and is a reminder for the Aitken community of the traditional owners of the land we teach and learn on.
Significant Dates for First Nations People 2023
| JANUARY | |
26th- Day of Mourning/ Invasion Day
| Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people see this date as a day to commemorate the loss of land rights, the right to practise their culture and the loss of lives due to colonisation. |
| FEBRUARY | |
13th- Apology Day
21st- International Mother Language Day | This date marks the anniversary of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s 2008 speech in the House of Representatives in which he apologised for past laws and policies and the impact they had on the lives of indigenous people.
A day designated by the UN to celebrate linguistic and cultural diversity around the world. |
| MARCH | |
17th- Close the Gap Day
21st- Harmony Day | The ‘Close the Gap’ campaign began in 2006 and is a drive to improve the health of First Nations people. This date it used each year to raise awareness of the life expectancy gap between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians.
Harmony Day (part of Harmony week) is a day to recognize and formally respect all cultures who call Australia home.
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| APRIL | |
| MAY | |
26th- National Sorry Day
27th- Anniversary of 1967 referendum
27th- start of Reconciliation Week | This day is especially important for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It commemorates those who were part of the Stolen Generation.
In 1967, Australians voted in a referendum to change the constitution so that First Nations people would be counted in the Australian population.
Reconciliation Week is a time for everyone to reflect on the stories, contributions, and achievements of indigenous people. It is used to promote and build respectful relationships between First Nations peoples and other Australians. This year, the theme is: Be a Voice for Generations. |
| JUNE | |
3rd- Mabo Day
| Mabo Day is the anniversary of the High Court of Australia’s decision to grant native title rights to Indigenous people. Eddie Mabo fought and won a court case which proved the land had belonged to his people before British Colonisation. |
| JULY | |
3rd-10th – NAIDOC week
| NAIDOC (National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee) celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and recognizes the contributions of First Nations peoples in a variety of fields, particularly in the arts (like music, dance, theatre, and other art mediums). |
| AUGUST | |
4th- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day
9th- UN International Day of World Indigenous Peoples
| Since 1988, Children’s Day has been celebrated. It focuses on celebrating the handing down of indigenous cultures to children, as well as supporting the growth, development, and wellbeing of indigenous children.
This day was proclaimed by the UN in 1994 to promote and protect the rights of the indigenous people of the world. |
| SEPTEMBER | |
7th- Indigenous Literacy Day
13th- Anniversary of UN Rights of Indigenous Peoples | This day aims to raise awareness of the educational difficulties experienced in many indigenous communities. It also a day to raise funds to provide literacy resources for indigenous communities.
In 2007, on this day, the UN established a framework for the minimum standard of fair treatment for all indigenous people.
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| OCTOBER | |
26th- Anniversary of Uluru Handback
| In 1985, Governor-General Sir Ninian Stephen passed the title deeds for Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park to the traditional owners. The traditional owners leased the park back to the Australian Parks and Wildlife Service and the park is now still jointly managed. |
| NOVEMBER | |
| DECEMBER | |
| 10th- Human Rights Day | This is the day the UN General Assembly passed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This document explains the rights that everyone is entitled to, regardless of race, religion, gender, language, culture, or political opinions. |
Sources: https://www.un.org/en/observances/mother-language-day
https://www.aboriginalchildrensday.com.au/why-is-it-important/
https://www.reconciliation.org.au/our-work/national-reconciliation-week/
Sophie Sykes
First Nations Coordinator