NAIDOC Week

During the holidays, NAIDOC Week celebrations were held across Australia to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. 

This year’s theme is ‘For Our Elders’. Across every generation, Elders have played, and continue to play, an important role and hold a prominent place in First Nations communities and families. They are cultural knowledge holders, trailblazers, nurturers, advocates, teachers, survivors, leaders, hard workers and loved ones. 

Click here to download a black and white version of this year's NAIDOC Week artwork which was created by Bobbi Lockyer, a proud Ngarluma, Kariyarra, Nyulnyul and Yawuru artist, born and based on Kariyarra Country in Port Hedland. 

During Library sessions, Foundation students have listened and responded to Somebody’s Land by Adam Goodes and Ellie Laing. Years 1-Year 6 students have explored and discussed some of Isaiah Firebrace’s book, Come Together: Things Every Aussie Kid Should Know about the First Peoples. 

First Nations peoples have many symbols that they use in their artwork to tell stories. In a template of the symbol for ‘Elders’ all students have written a message honoring and thanking their own elders for their influence on their own and others’ lives. These messages will be collated and displayed in the library around ‘For Our Elders’ lettering. 

Georgina Laming

Library/Digi Tech Specialist Teacher

glaming@sjvmulgrave.catholic.edu.au