Each year in July, NAIDOC Week is recognised across Australia to celebrate the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
While we embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, knowledges, and pedagogies within our daily practice across the year, NAIDOC week provides a specific theme for the month of July.
The 2021 theme – Heal Country, heal our nation – calls for everyone to continue to seek greater protections for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ lands, waters, scared sites and cultural heritage from exploitation, desecration, and destruction.
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people Country is more than a place; it is inherent to their identity, and it sustains every aspect of life – spiritually, physically, emotionally, socially, and culturally.
At Kool Kids, we’re lucky enough to have an amazing relationship with Uncle Allan, Traditional Custodian and Elder of the Yugambeh Language Group of the Bundjalung Nation.
Watch as Uncle Allan attends one of his regular visits with the children at Kool Kids Nerang to share stories, language and culture with the little ones.
The story he shares about the Nerang River is a wonderful reminder of the NAIDOC theme, Heal Country.
Happy NAIDOC Week, everyone, and see you in centres for more wonderful story-telling with Uncle!