NAIDOC Theme 2019 - Written by Tyne Weller

The national NAIDOC theme for 2019 is …

VOICE… TREATY…. TRUTH

Those 3 words, 3 powerful words, make up this years NAIDOC message.

You’re maybe wondering why 3 simple words, VOICE, TREATY, TRUTH are so important? So powerful? Let me explain.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have walked the sacred grounds of this country since the Dreaming. We looked after this land as we were taught. We were taught, we do not own this land but we  have been entrusted with looking after it by our Ancestors and mother earth. The many different tribes had their own languages, own stories, lores, knowledge, dreaming and culture. All of this was passed down through the generations, so those who are left can pass on the teachings to those who care after.

On the 26th January 1788 The First Fleet sailed into Port Jackson, rowed to the shore and raised the British Flag declaring the land was now the property of King George the 3rd and property of England - and would now be known as New South Wales.

That was the day we lost our voice, our land, our value and many lost their lives.  Throughout the years we were treated like animals in the worst way possible. Up until 25 years ago we were written into the Flora and Fauna Act, essentially being told we were animals.  We were told we could not speak our Language. We could not speak our language to our children. We lost our VOICES. This is why we now use our VOICE to tell our stories, our Dreaming.

Currently Aboriginal people are not recognised in the Australian constitution. For many years we have asked the Australian Government to be seen as traditional owners and to be recognised as the first people of this nation.  Because of this, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islaner people are seeking a TREATY, an agreement with the Government to write into law that all Australians, all visitors, walk on Aboriginal land.

After many years of being told we do not matter, that our culture doesn’t matter, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are now speaking TRUTH and telling the world that we do matter.  Our stories matter, our culture matters, our VOICE matters, a TREATY matters and speaking our TRUTH matters.

WE stand together with our families and continue to fight to be seen, heard and recognised and it’s days like today that we can share our pain and sorrow, happiness and wishes with you all, in hope that you will stand along side us, and support us in sharing our VOICE, being seen with a TREATY and speaking our TRUTH.

I would also like to add, The Aboriginal students at St Michael’s love that we attend such an understanding and accepting school that allows us to be ourselves to attend  culture classes every Friday, to learn about who we were, who we are and be given every opportunity to be who we want in our future. Although many of us learn from our families at home, we and our parents appreciate the time given for us to learn more about our culture and to also be together and bond and learn each other’s cultures, dreaming and lore, without Ms Vanessa, Mrs Manners, Uncle Mark, Ms Crossley and Mrs Dempsey fighting, accommodating and making time for us we wouldn’t have the opportunities we have - Thank you.