This week is NAIDOC week – a week that celebrates one of the world’s oldest continuous living cultures.
Not only is it a week to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, it’s an opportunity for us to show up and learn about First Nations cultures and histories.
Our First Australians have a long and proud history of storytelling, passing stories from generation from generation.
As Australians we all have a role to play in ensuring those stories continue by listening to the voices of our First Nations people.
This year’s NAIDOC theme is Get up! Stand up! Show up!
It encourages all of us to champion institutional, structural, collaborative, and cooperative change while celebrating those who have already driven and led change in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities over generations.
NAIDOC week is just one opportunity to learn from our First Nations people.
Logan’s own history begins with the Turrbal, Yagara, Yugambeh, and Yugara/Yugarapul Aboriginal peoples.
Their stories and strong connections to their land as the traditional custodians are shared in so many ways throughout the city.
The Nyeumba-Meta space located at our Logan Central Library is a wonderful place to foster respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The name Nyeumba-Meta was chosen by our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents to reflect their language. Nyeumba in Yugembah language means ‘teaching or learning’ while Meta in Torres Strait language means ‘house’.
We all must continue to Get Up, Stand Up and Show Up for our First Australians now and into the future, and continue the work of those from the past.
Unfortunately, the NAIDOC celebrations planned for Tuesday at the Kingston Butter Factory Cultural Precinct have been postponed due the weather.
They will now be held in August – so keep an eye out for more details down the track.
