Each year, NAIDOC Week is a time for all of us to celebrate the histories, cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our community.
This year the theme for NAIDOC Week, which runs from 2 to 9 July, is 'For Our Elders', paying respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders and their role and prominent place in their communities, families and the broader community.
The National NAIDOC Committee describes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders as cultural knowledge holders, trailblazers, nurturers, advocates, teachers, survivors, leaders, hard workers and loved ones.
Visit our NAIDOC Week page to find out about activities you can get involved with locally to celebrate NAIDOC Week, including:
- an interactive talk
- a guided Connecting to Country walk
- a screening of the film The Lost Daughter.
Strengthening relationships
In Boroondara, Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Elders, as the Traditional Owners, worked with us to develop our Boroondara Reconciliation Strategy 2022-26, and continue to play a key role as we deliver our actions in this strategy.
The strategy has formalised how we work with Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Elders into the future. Recent opportunities for collaboration with Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Elders include incorporating their feedback and advice in significant projects such as the Gardiners Creek (Kooyongkoot) Master Plan and Council’s revised Naming Policy.
Theme 2 of the Strategy is Relationships and Partnerships, which outlines our commitment to creating and strengthening reciprocal relationships with the Traditional Owners and other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, organisations and peoples. We value these relationships and the sharing of their cultural knowledge, rich insights and advice while guiding us on our reconciliation journey in Boroondara.
We recognise and celebrate the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the distinct communities, cultures, histories and experiences present within Boroondara today.
Acting on our Reconciliation Strategy
The Boroondara Reconciliation Strategy 2022-26 was adopted last year, outlining a 4-year roadmap for implementing reconciliation initiatives and actions in collaboration with the Traditional Owners and stakeholders from the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sector, as well as the broader community.
It speaks to our vision of ‘creating a community where the histories, cultures, knowledges, achievements and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are acknowledged, respected, considered and celebrated’.
Fill in our Boroondara Reconciliation newsletter sign up form to stay updated about our actions.