NATIONAL NAIDOC WEEK

2021’s National NAIDOC Week theme: Heal Country calls for a deeper understanding of the meaning of Country beyond just a physical ‘place’. Recognising the innate relationship Country has with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s identity and participating in elemental change through truth-telling and reform may bring us closer to “Healing Country & Healing Our Nation.”

“For generations Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been calling for stronger measures to recognise, protect, and maintain all aspects of our culture and heritage for all Australians.

We have continued to seek greater protections for our lands, our waters, our sacred sites and our cultural heritage from exploitation, desecration, and destruction.

We are still waiting for those robust protections.

Healing Country means hearing those pleas to provide greater management, involvement, and empowerment by Indigenous peoples over country.

Healing Country means embracing First Nation’s cultural knowledge and understanding of Country as part of Australia’s national heritage. That the culture and values of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders are respected equally to and the cultures and values of all Australians.

The right to protect Country and culture is fundamental.” NAIDOC.org.au

Go directly to the organisations below for educational resources for your classroom and studio.

NAIDOC.ORG.AU

SBS LEARN – Official media and education partners of National NAIDOC Week  – Heal Country Teaching Resource by Shelley Ware (for Foundation – Grade 10)

*SBS Learn would like to advise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples that this resource may contain images, audio visual materials and/or the names of people who have died.

Featured image contains: 2021 NAIDOC Facebook & Twitter option 1, artwork by Maggie-Jean Douglas ‘Care for Country.’

WINGARU EDUCATION: Sign up your school to access learning.

Wingaru’s approach to NAIDOC considers the concept of Country, giving students an understanding of why Country is so important to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and then exploring the many ways that we can all contribute to healing Country.

12-month subscriptions include:

• 2 hours of professional learning for each teacher
• Individual accounts for all teachers and students
• Access to over 130 lessons complete with video, curriculum-aligned lesson plans, digital activities and printable resources.

There is also the wingaru.com.au/join-the-challenge starting in Term 3 with shared knowledge from @teachingwithtanna @learning_to_ngangaanha @missgibbsau @mr.j.learning.space and @rainbowskycreations