In 2024, the NAIDOC theme “Blak, Loud and Proud” celebrates the unyielding spirit of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities – and invites us all to honour the legacies, continue to stand in solidarity and amplify the voices of First Nations people for the future.
Having the great privilege to walk on Kaurna country in Tarntanya (Adelaide), the lives, rights and needs of First Nations children and young people are central to our work at the OGCYP. With a third of children and young people in OOHC – and over half of those in youth detention – being Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, we are firmly committed to using our advocacy to advance their rights, opportunities and wellbeing.
Working in the out-of-home care and youth detention sectors, NAIDOC week is about celebrating and reminding those who work with children and young people in these life circumstances that culture is a fundamental part of their lives; that thriving as an individual and as a community is hinged on the connectivity and pride in culture.
“As an oversight body we monitor the sector’s engagement with – and capacity to play its part in – connecting children and young people to their own specific culture and connections. This is an area that I contributed to in Commissioner Lawrie’s recently released Inquiry Report: Holding onto Our Children. My observations, alongside others, is that we are barely scraping the surface when it comes to ensuring connection to culture is a priority, and seeing culture as protective – not a risk factor. We must keep the fire burning, as people who are charged with guiding and nurturing the next generations,” said Guardian, Shona Reid.
For NAIDOC, we had a busy week at the OGCYP and you may have seen the team out and about celebrating and engaging with children, young people and community. Starting at the National NAIDOC Awards Ceremony, we were honoured to host a number of young people with care experiences to get glammed up alongside the Guardian – along with Aboriginal Children’s Commissioners from SA, QLD and WA!
”There is truly no better evening than to sit amongst such amazing, courageous and awe-inspiring young women. We were treated to an evening where everywhere you look and walk/dance you come across people who have championed the very theme of NAIDOC Week. To be able to spend this time with young women who inspire me was a true privilege”
We also had a great time this week:
- Undertaking our own OGCYP Cultural Respectfulness training facilitated by Aunty Sharon Gollan and Tony Fletcher.
- Watching the incredible young people who raised their voices on important topics and matters in Aboriginal affairs at the Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People’s OUR SAAY Public Speaking Competition.
- Visiting some DCP offices to be a part of local office NAIDOC week celebrations.
- Cheering on young people showing off their footy skills at a Friday night match at the Adelaide Youth Training Centre.
- Sharing about our work and resources with children and young people, families and community at the NAIDOC Family Festival at Elder Park.
Keep the learning and sharing going!
While NAIDOC week is now over for 2024, keeping the fire burning is a year-round commitment!
An important part of supporting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children and young people to grow up loud and proud is celebrating Blak Excellence in all of our spaces. Starting as early as possible – in our families, childcare and classrooms – we can support learning and understanding about the history and contemporary stories of First Nations people in Australia.
A great resource for starting and building on these conversations is the NAIDOC Week Education Resources – published in partnership by the National NAIDOC Committee, Culture is Life and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. For those who’ve already had a look, you may have seen our very own Principal Aboriginal Advocate, Shaylem Wilson, share what this year’s theme means to her:
This year’s NAIDOC theme is a reminder to always be unapologetically Blak. To me, it symbolises the unwavering resilience of our people throughout the past 236 years and that despite relentless attempts to undermine and weaken our culture, we are still Blak, loud and proud. We will keep the fire burning with sparks of dedication and the enduring flame of our cultural legacy.
– Shaylem Wilson (Ngarrindjeri) – NAIDOC Week: Education Resources 2024
We also encourage everyone to have a look at the amazing winners of the 2024 NAIDOC awards – nationally, and in South Australia. We send our congratulations and deep respect to:
- Uncle Frank Wangutya Wanganeen as the recipient of the Lord Mayor’s NAIDOC award
- Wayne Miller and Sandy Miller, the dual winners of the Premier’s NAIDOC Award
- Year 11 student Patrick Alexander won the 2024 Dr Alice Alitya Rigney Prize, which recognises a young Aboriginal person in years 10-12 dedicated to their education.
For further information regarding NAIDOC, you can go to the National NAIDOC website or visit NAIDOC SA.
Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud!
