National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee
NAIDOC Week celebrates Indigenous culture and heritage, commemorates 65,000 years of history, unifies communities, and is day to educate and share stories.
Acknowledgement of Country
Birri Gubba singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Waveney Yasso visited Kingston L&L hub and gave a captivating performance of “Mother Earth”, a song she co-wrote to pay respect to the Elders and the Traditional Owners of the land.
Get up! Stand up! Show up!
Each year, a theme is chosen to reflect the important issues and events for NAIDOC Week. This year’s theme is ‘Get up! Stand up! Show up!’ and is a call for action to bring about systemic change within our communities.
We have a proud history of getting up, standing up, and showing up.
Now is our time. We cannot afford to lose momentum for change.
Listen to this year’s poster design competition winner, Ryhia Dank, a young Gudanji/Wakaja artist from the Northern Territory explain why her artwork ‘Stronger’ gives strength to herself, her family, community and supports NAIDOC Week’s Get up! Stand up! Show up! theme.
“I created this piece after reading this year’s National NAIDOC Week theme I knew straight away I wanted to do a graphic piece centred around our flags with text highlighting what we have been through and are still fighting for” said Ryhia.
“I feel that this piece being black and white allows us to focus on the details and messages in the artwork”
You can colour in the poster yourself, simply download it here.
Our RAP Working Group say about NAIDOC Week?
What motivated you to be involved in the RAP Working Group?
As I am a proud Indigenous woman, I am very excited to be given the opportunity to work within a company that is taking the initiative to incorporate a more inclusive environment: for the people we support as well as employees (who are Aboriginal and Torres Strait people). I am looking forward to offering and encouraging all to participate in our culture and hopefully see this embedded more in our programs and everyday living. I also would like to help spread the word on RAP and NAIDOC Week each year and how we can all be involved and showcase our fantastic heritage.
What does NAIDOC Week, and this year’s theme, “Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!” mean to you?
Getting Up, Standing Up, and Showing Up can take on many meanings and I use this phrase often in my everyday life. I believe that it is time to continue to move forward as a nation of proud Indigenous people: it is time to really stand up and see that changes/promises happen not just for our future generations, but for our past elders and families. Aboriginal and Torres Strait peoples’ rights need to be recognised and we all need to have equal justice systems. I will continue to Get Up, Stand Up and Show Up for all my past, present and emerging people. We all have a voice, and it should be heard and acknowledged.
What motivated you to be involved in the RAP Working Group?
I wanted to join the RAP Working Group as I have learned so much about the experience of Indigenous people with disability through my work on the Disability Royal Commission, and I want to be part of Endeavour Foundation’s journey to becoming a culturally safe organisation. I also have had experience of working in remote Indigenous communities, but acknowledge I know so little about Australia’s First Peoples.
What does NAIDOC Week, and this year’s theme, “Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!” mean to you?
“Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!” means be vocal about your story, help others tell theirs, and walk your talk!
What motivated you to be involved in the RAP Working Group?
I wanted to join the RAP working group to learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, histories and play an active role in reconciliation. Acknowledging and showcasing all of Australia’s rich cultures as well as ensuring all voices and perspectives are heard is important to me.
What does NAIDOC Week, and this year’s theme, “Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!” mean to you?
I think we have to be present, not passive; we must acknowledge the journeys our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples went on and walk that road hand in hand, based on justice, equity, and the proper recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights
Let’s celebrate the many who have driven and led change in our communities over generations and join them as champions of change.
You may have noticed your email signatures changing soon. We have integrated RAP-themed signatures onto your emails to celebrate and raise awareness of NAIDOC Week.
If you have any feedback, insights, suggestions or would like to join the RAP working group simply email [email protected]
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