NAIDOC Provides Grants to Indigenous Youth 

NAIDOC Week is a time to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and heritage. The theme for 2021 was “Heal Country”, which celebrated the ways that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are working to heal their communities and country. This is an important topic, and one that all Australians should take time to learn about. Today, we want to discuss the theme further, and discuss some of the ways that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are working to achieve it.

What did the Heal Country campaign want to achieve? The Heal Country campaign was launched as the theme of the 2021 NAIDOC Week to encourage all Australians to take action to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The idea of the campaign was to overcome historical injustices and find a ‘fair and equitable resolution’.

With no formal settlements or treaties, land was taken from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people many years ago. This is just one example of how historical injustice still plagues certain parts of Australia. Naturally, NAIDOC appreciates that it’s impossible to go back in time and fix what happened in the past. However, it wants modern Australians to consider a fairer and better future for the next generation so that a lesson was learned from these historical injustices. 

Over the years, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have fought for more effective measures to protect the heritage and culture of all Australians. What’s more, they have fought for better protection of waters, lands, and sacred sites. Heal Country was a culmination of all these important causes and a critical theme of the 2021 NAIDOC Week. 

NAIDOC Week is not just about giving out awards to members of the community because NAIDOC provides grants to younger members of the indigenous community. For example, one winner of the Youth of the Year award had grand plans to spend his prize money to create a youth-led organisation that will provide mentorship and pathways for other young Aboriginal people. 

What’s more, the NAIDOC Local Grants Program empowers people to provide NAIDOC activities in various regions. Primarily, the grants should go toward activities that aim to preserve and celebrate indigenous communities. By getting young people involved in this process, they will lead the next generation and contribute to the goals of NAIDOC for many years to come. 

This is just one small way that NAIDOC is working to Heal Country. By supporting the next generation, they are ensuring that their culture can continue to thrive for years to come. 

Celebrate NAIDOC 

How do you celebrate NAIDOC Week in 2022? This year, NAIDOC Week falls between the 3rd and 10th of July. NAIDOC Week is a time to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and an opportunity for all Australians to learn about the rich history of our country. 

There are many ways you can get involved in celebrating NAIDOC Week. Here are some ideas:

• Attend a NAIDOC event in your local community
• Visit an Aboriginal art gallery or museum
• Watch a movie or read a book that celebrates Aboriginal culture
• Learn about the history of the Aboriginal flag and how it has become such an important symbol of our country 

Also, use important resources like Australians Together Naidoc info – especially for schools, you’ll find curriculum resources to get your children involved in the learning and the celebrations. Whether you’re a teacher, student, or principal, contact this amazing service today for leading resources to get the most possible value from NAIDOC this year!