SNAICC, National Voice for our Children, has created a poignant theme for this year's National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day, celebrated on 4 August: "Strong in Culture, Stronger Together." This theme aligns with the messaging seen in the 2024 NAIDOC and National Reconciliation Week themes, "Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud" and "Now More Than Ever".
Empowering the next generation
These themes all speak to the strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in standing tall and firm in their culture, despite the devastating Referendum results of 2023.
This year we stand with our children, proud of their culture, stories, kin and community – all that makes our children special, resilient and the bright leaders of our future. If our children are strong in culture, then they are strong in their identity, and this is important for future generations to come.
SNAICC 2024
The theme this year is a powerful assertion that when we collectively empower our children and young people to be proud of who they are, and of their connections to kin and Country, we show them that their culture is indeed their strength. This important asset, if nurtured and respected, will enable them to become the change-makers of tomorrow.
In the above excerpt from NITV's Little J and Big Cuz, Nanna shares cultural information about how she knows when it's her birthday due to the changes that happen locally, on Country.
How you can support the theme and take action in your community
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day is a time for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities to celebrate the strengths and culture of our children, but it's also an opportunity for all Australians to show their support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, and recognise that culture plays an important role in the lives of these children.
Whether you identify as Indigenous or not, and regardless of whether there are Indigenous children in your service, 4 August is a day for everyone to get involved.
August 4 is an invitation to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, and a day to celebrate culture, family and community; three pillars at the heart of Indigenous Australia. It is an opportunity for those of us in the education space, to stand up and say loudly to our children, “YOU do matter”; a message that sadly, due to the challenges our children face that stem from colonialism, and discrimination against mob, we do need to reinforce whenever we can.
As I sit writing this article, reflecting on our children and my role in supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to grow up strong and proud of who they are, I can’t help but think back to the news headlines from earlier this year. They reported a horrendous act of inhumanity by an adult in Western Australia who felt justified in zip-tying and detaining three Aboriginal children for swimming in a pool that did not belong to them.
This act serves as a horrifying reminder that much work remains to be done in this country regarding racism. Such stories starkly illustrate the importance of actively contributing to the shift in societal values and perspectives surrounding Indigenous Australia.
While we cannot control the actions of others, and we certainly cannot shift the mindset of those who refuse to know better and do better, what we can do is make impacts in our own sphere of influence.
So going back to my earlier comment around making impacts in our own sphere of influence, I encourage you all to reflect on the space you operate in, and look to where you can highlight the message behind National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day this year.
- Could you host a fundraiser morning tea and donate to an Indigenous children’s charity like Children’s Ground or the Indigenous Literacy Foundation?
- Perhaps you can connect with your Indigenous families and host an arts and craft session led by a local Indigenous creator?
- Or maybe it’s as simple as sharing with your colleagues at your next staff meeting about this day, and finding resources to support you and your colleagues’ learning around Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.
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SNAICC regularly host informative webinars around topics relating to the wellbeing, health and safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, and would be a great place to start.
No matter what you choose to do this year to celebrate August 4, make it intentional. Be the person in your workplace who drives this sort of initiative. When we all start to shift our thinking to one of action, we begin to see ripple effects across our communities and society as a whole. Our children deserve nothing less.
CELA resources relating to this topic
Explore our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Information page for a range of training opportunities, resources and information.
Read more of Deborah's Amplify! articles:
What it means to be visibly culturally capable
How to conduct a bookshelf audit by Deborah Hoger
Avoiding the trap of cultural tokenism by Deborah Hoger
About Deborah
Deborah Hoger is a Dunghutti woman and owner and Director of a business specialising in Indigenous educational resources. She is passionate about using early childhood as a platform to introduce children to the rich depth of knowledge and unique perspectives that Indigenous Australia has to offer.