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Because of Her, We Can: NAIDOC Week 2018 and beyond

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In celebration of NAIDOC Week 2018, we asked Young Canberra Citizen of the Year, 2018 ACT NAIDOC Scholar of the Year and Wiradjuri woman Dhani Gilbert to reflect on what NAIDOC Week means to her. 

Ngunhiyal Ngiyanhi Malgiri (Because of Her, We Can).

I speak today as a proud young Wiradjuri woman, who like so many other young First Nations women across the country have a continuing connection to our Ancestors, our Country, our song lines and hope to be a part of a continuing journey towards a more just society.

This is all because of the resilience, strength, love, determination and power of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to overcome unimaginable adversity.

The beautiful strength of women was at the heart of NAIDOC week celebrations and conversations for 2018, thanks to this year’s theme ‘Because of Her, We Can’. This year’s theme has resonated deeply across the community and proudly acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women’s tireless efforts to support, grow and sustain our futures. The spotlight deservedly shined a bright light on the fact that our women are a driving force of positive social change and can also be the unseen power behind the visible successes community leaders have achieved.

In heartfelt tributes across every platform and at community days during NAIDOC week we proudly honoured the ways of knowing, doing and being of the incredible women in our lives.

Close to home our Elders, mothers, grandmothers, Ancestors, sisters, aunties and cousins who have been vital to the continuation of cultural and community ways were proudly recognised. These women raised us, nurtured us and have continually supported us in doing the right thing, the right way.

As a result of this, many young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples aspire to be like the positive women who surround us as they are the greatest role models for positive change we could ask for. They demonstrate courage, respect, strength, hard work, compassion and love which inspires us to do our best and better each and every day.

At NAIDOC events in Canberra and across the nation we were reminded that in our communities and in the very Country our feet stand upon today, women’s guidance through the difficult times and challenges we may face has been continuously provided for over 65,000 years.

That continuing narrative was clearly visible when we acknowledged the work of legendary women in our community, at the ACT NAIDOC awards where the work and women of Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Medical Service shone brightly, as well as at the National NAIDOC awards where human rights champion, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Dr June Oscar’s outstanding work was recognised as the 2018 NAIDOC Person of the Year. In her acceptance speech, Dr Oscar made the room rise to recognise we all have an active role in ensuring women’s voices are rising loud and clear.

Deeply listening to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women’s stories, struggles and successes that were shared this NAIDOC week was a powerful reminder of the valuable contributions so many women make across our community.

This year’s NAIDOC theme is not limited to a week but is timeless. ‘Because of Her, We Can’ encourages everyone to reflect upon and appreciate the incredible women around them. It inspires us to walk with giants, by fearlessly being all we can be.

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Because of her, we can! NAIDOC Week 2018

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This NAIDOC week from 9-15 July, Canberrans have plenty of opportunities to celebrate in indigenous culture.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have fought and continue to fight for equal rights, rights to country, for access to education, employment and to maintain and celebrate their culture, language, music and art.

Indigenous women play a significant role at the community, local, state and national levels and for that, the 2018 NAIDOC week will be held under the theme of Because of Her, We Can!

Indigenous women’s role in Australia’s cultural, social and political landscape and history has often been uncelebrated or diminished. But this year, their achievements, their voices and their unwavering passion and strength which has empowered past generations will at last be given the respectful platform that it deserves.

Art for Lunch: Healing circles – National Gallery of Australia

On Thursday 12 July, the National Gallery of Australia will be conducting Healing Circles’, which is a guided meditation session in The National Picture for NAIDOC Week as part of the Winter Wellness program.

This activity is free and will go from 12.45 pm-1.30 pm.

To book a spot for this activity, visit their website.

Hands-on History – Australian War Memorial

What do servicemen and servicewomen wear? What do they eat? What jobs do they do? The Australian War Memorials exciting hands-on history program answers these questions and more.

Try on uniforms, handle real objects, and learn about the service of an Indigenous family across three conflicts as part of NAIDOC Week.

Find out more on the website

Art on Canvas community workshop – Westfield Woden

From 11 am-1 pm on Tuesday 10 July, Westfield Woden will be hosting a hands-on Indigenous craft experience where kids and adults can join in and help create three pieces of unique indigenous artworks.

Learning about aboriginal symbols and creating dream time stories will be the focus of the three workshops which will run for 45 minutes each.

Find out more on the website

Sketchy Wednesday- National Gallery of Australia

On Wednesday 11 July, the National Gallery of Australia will host a free supported drawing session inspired by Indigenous works to celebrate NAIDOC Week.

This activity will go from 2 pm-3 pm and booking is not required, although you will need to supply your own drawing materials.

Find out more on the website

ANU NAIDOC Concert

On Thursday 12 July, The ANU Pop Up will be hosting a concert created by the ANU Indigenous Department to celebrate NAIDOC Week with some deadly Indigenous women enchanting you with their voices.

The concert will go from 6.30 pm-10 pm, with tickets costing $20 for concession and $30 for standard tickets.

To find out more, visit the event on Facebook

NAIDOC Week 2018 Community Celebration – Alfred Deakin High School

Alfred Deakin High School will host their NAIDOC week celebrations on Tuesday 10 July which will be a free day of fun for everyone with live music, performances, displays, children’s workshop, BBQ lunch, stalls and more.

Find out more on the website

Corroboree Beats – Belconnen Community Gallery

On Wednesday 11 July, Belconnen Community Gallery will be showcasing the paintings and sculptures of the Canberra Institute of Technology Yurauna students to celebrate NAIDOC week. This exhibition forms a part of the Belconnen Community Gallery series, “RESPECT”.

With the local Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve helping our endangered Corroboree Frog, the cultural arts students have created unique artworks to showcase their passion for the frog and its important place in our community of wildlife.

The formal celebration is being held on Wednesday 11 July at 12 pm during NAIDOC Week and the exhibition will run from June 19 – July 13.

Find out more on the website

NAIDOC Community Art Exhibition – Community Services #1

From 9-13 July, The NAIDOC Community Art Exhibition will be showcasing work by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Corrections clients and Alexander Maconochie Centre detainees.

The exhibition shows how art can be used as education, therapy and business with the money from sales of artworks going directly toward supporting the artists’ rehabilitation and assisting their reintegration into the community.

Find out more on the website.

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