National NAIDOC Week 2024
From 7 – 14 July, Australians across the country will be coming together to celebrate National NAIDOC week, where we recognise the incredible history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people.
The National NAIDOC week theme for 2024 is ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud’.
Here are some ideas you and your group may consider this National NAIDOC week:
- Invite an Elder to share local stories with the group on how they maintain their connection to Country
- Invite an Elder to lead a welcome to country at your local group gathering or event
- Work together with your Unit to prepare a Unit Acknowledgement of Country that can be said at the start of each meeting
- Showcase a movie or music from the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander culture
- Explore Aboriginal art and learn about the meanings and symbolism behind different patterns and drawings. Include art-based activities, including painting, dancing, crafts and storytelling
- Visit local Indigenous sites of significance or interest.
- Learn the meanings of local or national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander place names and words
- NAIDOC themed sporting activities
If you would like to contact your local NAIDOC Committee, and invite them to your local group activities, please click this link to view their contacts.
Click above image to view National NAIDOC week 2024 theme video
2024 National NAIDOC Week Poster – Urapun Muy by Deb Belyea (SAMUAWGADHALGAL, TORRES STRAIT)
This year the National NAIDOC Week poster “Urapun Muy” meaning “One Fire” originated from the Kalaw Kawaw Ya dialect of the Top Western Island of the Torres Strait. Deb Belyea the artist portraited the details showing energy and power as cultural knowledge and how it transferred from the ancestors to our community today. Culture is portrayed as fire, that gives us knowledge, wisdom and purpose.
Scouts Australia acknowledges the importance of Reconciliation and continues to work towards strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the Scouting community. We are currently forming a project patrol to help develop Scouts Australia’s first National Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
The National Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) will provide a structured approach to advance reconciliation and a framework for our groups, branches and National committees to turn good intentions into action and support to build relationships, demonstrate respect and provide opportunities to support the national reconciliation movement. Please click here to learn more about the project.
Our Scouting community will continue to help build and strengthen the relationship between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the rest of the Australian communities by maintaining, practicing, passing on and encouraging “fire” (culture) to future generations.
Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud.
