Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural information

Article

SBS

What is a Welcome to Country ceremony, and why is it important?

Welcome to Country ceremonies are an important part of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. Here's what you need to know about them.

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Ebook

SNAICC

Cultural safety and the national principles for child safe organisations. This resource is intended to support organisations engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to implement the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations (National Principles) in a culturally safe way. 

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Resource

Tjanpi desert weavers

Tjanpi Desert Weavers is a social enterprise of the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women’s Council, working with women in the remote Central and Western desert regions who earn an income from contemporary fibre art. 

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Jan - May

• 26 January: Survival Day
• 13 February: Anniversary Of The Apology To Australia’s Indigenous Peoples
• 20 March: Harmony Day (Formerly known as International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination)
• 21 March: National Close The Gap Day
• 26 May: National Sorry Day
• 27 May: Anniversary Of The 1967 Referendum
• 27 May – 3 June: National Reconciliation Week
• 29 May: Torres Strait Islander Flag Day

June - December

• 3 June: Mabo Day
• 1 July: Coming Of The Light
• 4 – 11 July: National NAIDOC Week
• 4 August: National Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day
• 9 August: International Day Of The World’s Indigenous Peoples
• 4 Sep: Indigenous Literacy Day

National Reconciliation Week 2025 theme unpacked

How to build implicit and explicit cultural safety in ECEC spaces

CELA Cultural Advisor Lisa Walker shares ways to address both explicit and implicit cultural safety in everyday practice to build culturally responsive early learning settings that support First Nations children, families and team members to feel safe, respected, valued and seen. 

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How Highgate ELC built their knowledge of local Aboriginal culture with artist Reverend Glenn Loughrey

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Acknowledging and Celebrating First Nations of Australia: A Starting Point

2-part live webinar series - CELA

NESA Accredited PD

Explore how to deliver respectful experiences of Indigenous histories, cultures and languages, and who to engage with in order to embed authentic First Nations perspectives into your program. 

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Strengthening mainstream ECEC service engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

NEW - Live webinar - CELA

This course aims to provide support for educators in mainstream early childhood services who want to cultivate partnerships with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities and embed local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and languages in the curriculum.   

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8 Ways of First Nations Learning

Training with Riley Callie Resources

A two hour online professional development opportunity led by skilled Torres Strait Islander woman and educator, Deborah Belyea, of the Samuawgadhalgal people, and Founder of Zeyawgub Consultancy. In this session, you will build on your understanding of Cultural Responsiveness through an introduction to the 8 ways of First Nations Learning. 

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Self-reflection on cultural inclusion for First Nations children

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This resource will help you to kickstart your own individual cultural learning journey and provide a friendly reminder that things are not as easy for a lot of First Nations Peoples across our continent. 

Written by CELA Cultural Advisor Lisa Walker

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Creating a culturally safe workplace for First Nations employees

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These guidelines will help you foster a workplace environment that truly respects and understands the First Nations cultures and practices of employees.

Written by CELA Cultural Advisor Lisa Walker

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Respectfully connect with your local First Nations community

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CELA Cultural Advisor Lisa Walker shares why it's important to consciously consider how you engage with First Nations Peoples, including steps to take and things to consider on your journey. 

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