For First Nations people, Country is not only the place you call home. To the First Nations people of Australia, Country is a term relating to waterways, skies, seas and the lands where they’re connected, including their cultural practices, responsibilities and relationships that associate them to those places.
On the first week of July, we celebrate NAIDOC week. NAIDOC week is an important week for recognising staff who identify as First Nations. As well as those who work with First Nations clients and stakeholders. We acknowledge those who support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to connect to their family, kin, community and culture.
The theme for NAIDOC week differs each year. In 2021 it was ‘Heal Country’ which references the personal lives of First Nations people as well as their work lives and community.
Heal Country encourages all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to continue to work towards protecting their lands, waters, sacred sites and cultural heritage from exploitation, desecration and destruction.
Several of our First Nations staff shared what the Heal Country theme means for them. They identified it as being a week for:
- Getting back into their community
- Getting back to their family
- Celebrating culture and food
- Connecting young kids to Country
- Reconnection and having conversations, especially with the younger generation about how we can all help heal Country and ourselves.
Collectively, to Heal Country, we must resolve outstanding injustices that impact the lives of First Nations people from historical, political and administrative standpoints.
Anglicare Southern Queensland is committed to a culture of learning, listening and responding to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We pay our respect to them and hope that we can work together to build a service that values and respects First Nations people. Click here to learn more about our commitment.