Relationships Australia celebrated the 50th National NAIDOC Week in the second week of July, recognising, protecting, and promoting the inherent rights, culture, and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
National NAIDOC Awards Ceremony celebrates 50 years
Our CEO Danielle Newport, Executive Manager Aboriginal Engagement Hector O’Loughlin, members from the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Working Group, and staff were fortunate to attend the National NAIDOC Awards Ceremony on the weekend.
The Awards marked its 50-year anniversary at the Perth Convention and Entertainment Centre with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, and Non-Aboriginal people coming together from all over Australia to celebrate the strength, endurance and achievements of First Nations Peoples on Whadjuk Country in Boorloo.
This was the first National NAIDOC Awards Ceremony to be held here since 2013 and co-host Narelda Jacobs reminded everyone of Western Australia's own legacy as the state that held the first 'Aboriginal Week' in the 1970s.
Honouring Truth Telling
An integral part of celebrating culture is making space for truth-telling. Throughout the week everyone had the opportunity to watch ‘Genocide in the Wildflower State’. The documentary depicts the stolen generations’ stories and creates a platform for survivors to share the truth.
Staff members were privileged to watch the screening together with the movie’s production team, Yokai — Healing our Spirit.
Yokai is a Community Organisation dedicated to supporting the needs of individuals and families in Western Australia adversely affected by policies and practices of separating Aboriginal peoples from their families, communities, countries and cultures. Yokai Elders, Stolen Generations Survivors, and Yokai staff practiced healing — sharing stories about their time in the missions and inviting questions from the group over bush tucker catered by Kuditj Kitchen.
Cultural Learning
Mandurah
Mandurah embraced cultural learning with Aboriginal artist Daniel McHenry from DMACKLATE designs. Daniel has previously created artwork for various schools and businesses in the Peel region, and his interactive workshop was an opportunity for staff to understand the story-telling process and the symbolism that lives in the art.
Staff tried their hand at painting with an opportunity to depict their own story using Aboriginal symbols.
Mandurah Location Manager said staff feedback was very positive.
"[Some staff said] it was a really interesting experience,” she said.
“To be able to consolidate the learning and understanding into our own art pieces was very meaningful.”
“Everyone really enjoyed this opportunity, and I believe it gave us all a better understanding of Aboriginal culture.”
“I also attempted Hector’s scone recipe — they seemed to go-down well,” she said.
Cultural Fitness Training and Reconciliation Action Planning
Staff across the organisation came together for one of our Cultural Fitness training sessions facilitated by Hector O’Loughlin. This presented an opportunity for staff to reflect on their own stories and cultures. Participants said this created a sense of unity.
Our newly formed Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) working group had its first meeting during NAIDOC week. They spent the time discussing the importance of reconciliation and what drew the members to the working group, as well as brainstorming ideas for our Reflect RAP.
Community Connection
RAWA was out and about in the community throughout the week, proudly wearing the art of Badimia Yamatji – Balladong Noongar woman Acacia Collard on our new polo shirts*.
Staff from Djinda, Moorditj Yarning, Perth FRC, and Marketing attended Mirrabooka NAIDOC celebrations at the Stirling Leisure Centre on Thursday 10 July. The day was a showcase of Blak excellence comprised of traditional dance, live musical performances, storytelling and raffles.
In Bunbury, staff attended the Goomburrup (Bunbury) Elder's luncheon and Bunbury NAIDOC ball where many strong inspiring community members were acknowledged for their strength and legacy.
Our Djinda, Redress and Marketing team rounded out the week at the Mookaroo festival in Merriwa. Staff connected with community over a sausage sizzle, kangaroo stew, traditional dance by the Saltwater Sistas, storytelling and craft.
RAWA is proud to stand beside all community members, in all of their diversity, to support positive and safe relationships.
NAIDOC is an opportunity to do this, and it’s something we should all aim to do every day.
*Acacia Collard’s artwork represents RAWA and how we provide services with the community. The artwork is layered, there is a pathway with footprints that give the impression of walking through the middle of the design. This is a client’s journey through RAWA. The small individual blue circles represent the members of community who seek support from RAWA. The grouped circles represent the programs and the impacts on community groups with many people sitting around (u shapes).