NAIDOC Week – Always Was: Always Will Be

NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia each year to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life.

The National Council released this statement in November.

STATEMENT

The National Council of the St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia acknowledges NAIDOC Week as an event of national importance for all Australians.

We stand with Indigenous Australians to celebrate not only Indigenous achievement but the history, rich culture, and survival of the oldest continuing living culture on the planet.

Together we celebrate the achievements of leaders and trailblazers of the past and we look with hope towards the future.

We acknowledge the ongoing struggle experienced by many and we work to shape a more just and compassionate society.

Always Was, Always Will Be recognises that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years.

We acknowledge that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were Australia’s first explorers, first navigators, first engineers, first farmers, first botanists, first scientists, first diplomats, first astronomers and first artists.

We have crafted our statement drawing directly from the National NAIDOC Committee’s statement as a sign of solidarity with Australia’s First Nations people. ♦