Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud this NAIDOC Week

This year’s NAIDOC Week theme calls us to reflect on the strength, resilience, history, and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. 

As we honour the rich Aboriginal culture that has thrived on this land for thousands of years, we are called to reflect on the strength, resilience, history, and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and the Department of Communities' staff.

Yamatij Noongar Women, Emmerson and Lauren Lawrence are the heart of the Cultural Space program for Communities' Armadale and Cannington District. 

Their leadership and cultural guidance ensure the koolunga (children) are nurtured and stay deeply rooted in their culture through language, cultural activities, and meaningful connections with local Aboriginal people. Their inspiring work passes on invaluable knowledge to the next generation of leaders.

Wendy Dimer works in Communities' Goldfields Child Protection team. Wendy’s cultural guidance and deep connections to land, language, and culture make a profound impact on the children and families she works with. Wendy is instrumental in maintaining the vital connection to Country in the Goldfields.

Through cultural storytelling, Wendy shares the journey of her father Arthur’s life as a bushman.

Renae Walley is an advocate for truth telling and not afraid to challenge the status quo. 

Renae demonstrates the rich tapestry of traditions through her inclusion of cultural and traditional perspectives in her project delivery.

Communities' Mid-West Gascoyne Aboriginal Engagement and Reform team are leading Cultural Immersion Tours on Yamatji Drive Trail, visiting significant sites of colonial conflict. 

Supported by Cameron Danischewsky on didgeridoo and poet Nola Gregory, who enriches our Welcome to Country.

Communities' Mid-West Gascoyne team present Cultural Awareness Packages to support our staff in cultural understanding. 

Mirnungumayimanha - Wajarri for ‘Teaching each other’, this presentation covers pre-colonisation to the 2023 Referendum, including frontier wars, the Stolen Generations, trauma, and more. 

It's an emotional journey that fosters deep understanding and ways of working with Aboriginal people.

This year’s theme reflects where we are as a nation, especially given the past years events and how we need to continue to move forward," said Aboriginal Practice Leader Kerryn Lewis, from our Statewide Referral and Response team.

"It is important that we make sure that our stories and our voices are heard no matter what. I feel it is important that we lead the way for our children, especially those that are in care, to have a sense of pride in who they are, and NAIDOC always allows for that.

"There is nothing more wonderful than a child proudly saying that they are Aboriginal.”

Pictured below is Kaya and her garden of colour. Supporting children in care have pride in themselves and their culture.

To find out more about those keeping the fire burning, visit NAIDOC's website