Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have connections to culture, community and Country that nurture and support their wellbeing, spirituality and sense of identity. It is important to the wellbeing of children and their families that these connections are maintained and strengthened.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander events and festivals
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kids need to be able to connect and socialise with other members of their cultural group, including family. Particular effort should be made to connect Aboriginal children and young people with the cultural observances of the communities and their nation.
Getting along to and being part of cultural events is one way for kids to gain an understanding about:
- the value and sense of belonging to an Aboriginal community
- the practices and ceremonies that maintain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures
- how diverse groups of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders see themselves
- how to pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures and heritage
- how to gain the respect and understanding of others and the broader community through sharing pride for culture.
Major ATSI cultural events
Yabun Festival
Yabun Festival is an annual celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture featuring a vibrant line-up of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performers and a range of arts, community and cultural activities. The event is free and family-friendly.
yabun.org.au
Apology Anniversary
On 13 February 2008 Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made a speech in parliament to apologise to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for policies that had ‘inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these, our fellow Australians'. The anniversary of the National Apology to Australia's First Peoples is celebrated by many local events and activities that celebrate the Stolen Generations taking place in schools, organisations and communities across Australia.
www.reconciliation.org.au
National Harmony Day
First held on 21 March 1999 to coincide with the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Harmony Day asks us to recognise the benefits of our diverse society. It promotes tolerance, goodwill and understanding between all groups and encourages a sense of citizenship and pride. The orange ribbon, which is now a symbol of harmony, was originally a symbol of anti-racism.
harmony.gov.au
National Sorry Day
First held on 26 May 1998, one year after the Bringing them Home report, which resulted from an inquiry into the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families. One of the report’s recommendations was that a National Sorry Day be declared to acknowledge the impact of the policies of forcible removal of children on Australia’s Indigenous populations.
www.reconciliation.org.au
Week (NRW)
It begins on 27 May, the anniversary of the 1967 referendum in which more than 90% of Australians voted to remove clauses from the Constitution discriminating against Indigenous Australians. And it ends on 3 June, the anniversary of the High Court’s judgment in the 1992 Mabo case.
National Reconciliation
First started in 1996, NRW is a time to reflect on nationwide reconciliation achievements and focus on what still needs to be done to achieve reconciliation in Australia. NRW coincides with two significant dates in Australia’s history that provide strong symbols of hope for reconciliation.
Mabo Day
Anniversary of the 1992 High Court decision in the case brought by Eddie Mabo and others that recognised the Native Title rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the original inhabitants of the continent.
www.reconciliation.org.au
Laura Aboriginal Dance & Cultural Festival
Bi-annual celebration of Indigenous arts, country and people held in Laura on Cape York in Far North Queensland. Fosters a sense of community spirit, wellbeing and pride.
lauradancefestival.com
Coming of the Light Festival
Marks the day the London Missionary Society first arrived in Torres Strait introducing Christianity to the region. Significant day for Torres Strait Islander communities. Religious and cultural ceremonies are held throughout Torres Strait and mainland Australia.
www.tsra.gov.au
NAIDOC Week
Celebration of the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC originally stood for ‘National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee’, which was responsible for organising national activities during NAIDOC Week. Note that some communities hold NAIDOC events at other times of the year.
naidoc.org.au
National Aboriginal and Islander Children’s Day (NAICD)
Established in 1988, Children’s Day is a time for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families to celebrate the strengths and culture of their children. The day is an opportunity for all Australians to show their support for Aboriginal children, as well as learn about the crucial impact that culture, family and community play in the life of every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child.
aboriginalchildrensday.com.au
International Day of the World’s Indigenous People
Established in 1994 when the United Nations declared 1994–2004 the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People.
www.un.org
Torres Strait Cultural Festival & Music Festival
The cultural festival occurs once every two years on Thursday Island; the music festival is held on the alternate year.
www.tsra.gov.au
test content