NAIDOC Committee, Culture is Life and ABC Education Launch Official Educational Resources for NAIDOC Week 2024
ABC Education is proud to announce that it has once again been chosen to partner with the NAIDOC committee to create official NAIDOC week Education Resources for this year’s theme: ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud.’
The resources were overseen by NAIDOC Committee, Co-Chair, Dr Lynette Riley, AO, and written by experienced educators from Culture is Life. The guide will assist all Australian teachers on how to meaningfully introduce the themes of this NAIDOC week to students and their school communities and can be discovered on the NAIDOC and ABC Education websites on June 17th.
According to the National NAIDOC Committee, 'Keep the Fire Burning!' is a nod to the vitality and endurance of culture, and a nod to connection with Country and community, while 'Blak, Loud and Proud' represents an unapologetic celebration of identity.
The resources which are designed for Levels F-10, and are in line with the Australian Curriculum include discussions and activities for older students to learn about and honour the lives of the Elders and Senior Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have blazed the way. They also provide guidance for early childhood and early primary educators to imagine a freedom of spirit and Country where possibilities to create space — through the imagination of children — can foster the strength of children.
There are two distinct needs in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education outlined in the Australian Curriculum: “firstly that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students are able to see themselves, their identities and their cultures reflected in the curriculum of each of the learning areas, can fully participate in the curriculum and can build their self-esteem” and secondly “that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures cross-curriculum priority is designed for all students to engage in reconciliation, respect and recognition of the world’s oldest continuous living cultures.”
Quotes attributable to The National NAIDOC Committee:
“The National NAIDOC Committee is proud to announce the 2024 National NAIDOC Week Educational Resources, in partnership with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and First Nations educators at Culture is Life, an Aboriginal-led non-for profit organisation.
As I reflect on this year’s theme 'Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud', I also reflect on my training as a teacher and feeling unprepared as an Aboriginal teacher — in understanding the issues and how to incorporate awareness of Aboriginal culture and needs, in a society that, at the time, only wanted us to assimilate. I also remember my grandfather from Moree, Reuben (Ben) Wright telling me, whilst I was at teachers’ college, to never forget who I was as an Aboriginal person, who my people were, to be proud of my people and to fight for us through education. As educators it is our responsibility to ensure all sides of history are taught and that all our students are reflected in what is taught. The NAIDOC theme this year helps us to reflect on what this means for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”
- Aunty Lynette Riley (AO)
Quotes attributable to Culture Is Life:
'Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud' is a great opportunity to honour the history of NAIDOC and 50 years since the committee became Aboriginal led.
Culture is Life are proud to again partner with the National NAIDOC Committee and the ABC to develop the Official National NAIDOC Resources for 2024!
Written by all Aboriginal educators, I feel proud to work with Aunty Stephanie Armstrong (Gamilaraay/Bigambul), Jasmine Miller (Wirangu/Kokatha) and Arkeria Armstrong (Gamilaraay/Bigambul).
The stories and activities reflect this year's theme, and the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples…. And there are so many more!
These resources, and all the incredible First Nations led resources that exist today, have a life long after NAIDOC. So, keep the fire burning and be proud to be connected to the oldest living culture in the world!
- Thara Brown, Education Manager
Quotes Attributable to ABC:
NAIDOC Week is a special time to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander achievements and deepen the understanding of our culture and history. A big part of this is connecting with young Australians and learning about First Nations stories and history in the classroom. This year's theme, ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud’, celebrates the enduring strength of First Nations culture and offers teachers a chance to explore various topics, perspectives and experiences with students. We're proud to encourage our youngest Australians to engage with the world’s oldest continuing culture.
- Kelrick Martin, ABC Head of Indigenous
As the official media partner for NAIDOC Week 2024, we are delighted to have been asked by Committee Co-Chair, Dr Lynette Riley AO to support the creation of the NAIDOC education resources under her supervision.
The ABC has drawn once again on the expert educators from Culture is Life, an Aboriginal-led, not-for-profit organisation that focuses on strengthening cultural ties of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
I would like to thank all those at Culture is Life for the invaluable work they have undertaken to produce resources that reflect this year’s theme – Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud.
- David Anderson, ABC Managing Director