Last Sunday, August 4, was National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day.
This year’s theme is ‘Strong in Culture, Stronger Together.’ This theme elevates the intention of this day, focusing on the strength of children that comes from their connection to culture and mob!
The team felt honoured to take part in Aboriginal Family Support Service’s Aboriginal Children’s Day event at St Clair on Friday. There were so many great activities including Aboriginal art workshops, jumping castles, basket weaving and a photo booth.
It was not only lots of fun, but a chance to connect with children and young people, to talk about rights in care, and how we can support in advocating for these rights. We handed out lots of resources including our activity books, posters, and temporary tattoos. Nunga Oog and Oog even made an appearance!
Did you know?
The Charter of Rights for Children and Young People in Care says that Aboriginal children have a right to connect with culture, and this means:
- Knowing what my cultural heritage is and who my family connections are
- Connecting with my Country, community, and cultural services
- Learning my language, stories, songs, dances, traditions and participating in cultural activities
- Having a cultural identity and feeling proud and strong about my culture.
This event was just one of many around the nation celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day, which is held annually on August 4. This date holds profound significance because, historically, it was used to collectively celebrate the birthdays of Aboriginal children who were stolen from their families at a young age, often without knowledge of their actual birthdays, as part of the Stolen Generations.
So, while we celebrate the successes, futures and unique stories of Aboriginal children and young people, it is also important that we recognise the history behind this event. In doing so, we know that many Aboriginal children and young people continue to experience the lasting impacts of the Stolen Generations, in the legacy of child protection policies that continue to discriminate against Aboriginal children and families, and in the experiences of intergenerational trauma within their families. This lasting impact continues to be seen in the fact that 38% of South Australia’s out of home care population are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people – and, as highlighted in the Productivity Commission’s Closing the Gap fourth Annual Data Compilation Report released last week – these figures keep rising.
The Guardian for Children and Young People, Shona, said:
“Culture is not an abstract concept, it is deeply embedded in identity, connecting children and young people to past, present and future, and upholding emotional, psychological, spiritual and physical wellbeing.
I wholeheartedly agree with Mr Andrew Jackomos who in his term as Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People, Victoria (2013-2018) famously said “Culture is not a ‘perk’ for an Aboriginal child – it is a life-line”. This sentiment has been reinforced by many Aboriginal leaders across our nation who constantly talk about culture being a protective factor for our children.
This was something that was amplified in Commissioner Lawrie’s Holding on to Our Future Inquiry.”
Shona went on to say:
“My office receives calls directly from Aboriginal children and young people who feel like no-one is listening to their voices about their connection to culture and connection to family.
Aboriginal children in care and detention have a right to demand full access to their own culture, to their own ‘life-line’. As a sector, effort needs to be made to secure this on their behalf, so that they can thrive as they grow into this big world.”
You can read more about Shona’s advocacy in this area in her submission to the Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People’s Inquiry into the application of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle in South Australia.
Readers are encouraged to take a look at Commissioner Lawrie’s inquiry report ‘Holding onto our Future’ which includes recommendations on how Aboriginal children’s connection to culture can be better supported. We await the Government’s response to these important recommendations.
For more information about Aboriginal Children’s Day, check out SNAICC’s website.
