NAIDOC Week is a time to celebrate the enduring strength, wisdom and cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is an opportunity for all Australians to recognise the oldest continuing cultures in the world, honour the contributions of First Nations peoples, and reflect on the work still required to achieve justice, equity and self-determination.
For those of us who walk alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people, families and communities, it is also a time to listen, learn and deepen our commitment to standing as allies. Meaningful reconciliation begins with truth-telling, respect and a willingness to understand the experiences that continue to shape lives today.
Preserving and sharing stories to understand and learn from
It was an honour to have Marist180 staff attend AbSec's NAIDOC Family Fun Day today and be among a strong and vibrant community, celebrating culture, connection and community. A profoundly moving experience was stepping aboard the Kinchela Boys Home Aboriginal Corporation's mobile education bus and hearing from survivors. Their stories provided a powerful insight into the lasting impacts of policies that saw the kidnapping of Aboriginal children from their families, communities and culture, while also highlighting the extraordinary strength, leadership and resilience of those survivors who continue to advocate for truth, healing and change.
The work of the Kinchela Boys Home Education Unit demonstrates the importance of creating spaces where difficult histories can be acknowledged, understood and learned from. Their commitment to preserving and sharing these stories helps ensure future generations understand the past and contributes to a future where Aboriginal children can grow connected to family, culture, community and identity.
40th anniversary of the visit of Pope St John Paul II to Mparntwe
As well as celebrating 50 Years of NAIDOC, we also mark the 40th anniversary of the visit of Pope St John Paul II to Mparntwe. It is an opportune time to be reminded of the important words of the then Pope:
‘Your culture, which shows the lasting genius and dignity of your race, must not be allowed to disappear. Do not think that your gifts are worth so little that you should no longer bother to maintain them. Share them with each other and teach them to your children. Your songs, your stories, your paintings, your dances, your languages, must never be lost’.
and
‘You are part of Australia and Australia is part of you. And the Church herself in Australia will not be fully the Church that Jesus wants her to be until you have made your contribution to her life and until that contribution has been joyfully received by others’.
As we continue to mark NAIDOC Week, we are looking forward to welcoming Community Members, partners, staff and young people to Marist180's NAIDOC Celebration on 31 July. The event will be an opportunity to come together in the spirit of connection, celebrate culture, honour local Aboriginal communities and strengthen relationships that support positive outcomes for children, young people and families.
Jane Powles
Partnerships and Advocacy Coordinator, and
Patrick O’Reilly
Director Mission, Inclusion and Identity
