Previous Children's Days Themes and Material – 2002 to 2006

National Aboriginal and Islander Children's Day (NAICD) is an annual event celebrated on August 4th each year, having been established by SNAICC in 1988.

Each year, SNAICC has a theme for Children's Day to highlight a signficant issue, concern or hope for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

2006 Children's Day Theme

My Culture is Me: I am Proud and Strong

This year SNAICC has chosen a theme that emphasises the positive influence of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child's culture on their well-being. SNAICC knows that culture makes children strong, proud and confident. On this year's NAICD, celebrate children and culture with strength, pride and confidence.

An Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child must be given the opportunity to allow their culture and spirituality to develop and emerge during their childhood as cultural identity and a sense of belonging can guide and protect them through adolescence and adulthood.

SNAICC has once again published a national poster on the year's theme. We have mailed copies of the poster, the NAICD leaflet, and stickers to all our members and subscribers. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children's services also received a Children's Activity Kit, which has ideas for kids' activities that celebrate their culture and identity.

If you would like to order further copies of this year's NAICD material, please contact the SNAICC office.

For media inquiries, contact:

Muriel Bamblett – SNAICC Chairperson (03) 9489 8099

Julian Pocock – SNAICC Executive Officer (03) 9489 8099

You can download the full text pdf version of this media release here.

2006 Children's Day Events

Children's Artwork Gallery

If you would like to receive NAICD posters, resources and other material in future years, please contact the SNAICC office.

2005 Children's Day Theme

Foster and Kinship Carers

Keeping Kids Connected to Community, Family and Culture

This year on National Aboriginal and Islander Children’s Day (NAICD), SNAICC will celebrate the critical role and fabulous work of foster and kinship carers who support kids and keep them in touch with their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, family and culture. Making sure kids in care stay connected to their families and culture is the birth right of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait children. Children in foster or kinship care deserve and need stability, family connection, cultural strength and the same love, support and affection all children desire.

SNAICC’s view is that the best models of foster and kinship care work hand in hand with families to ensure children learn about and develop healthy relationships with their birth family. Children and young people in care have the right to know their family and culture.

During 2005, SNAICC advocated for increased support for foster, relative and kinship carers – the best volunteers a community can have. (See our policy paper on this issue here.)

The 2005 NAICD poster and pamphlet were distributed through SNAICC's networks.

You can view the 2005 material here:

2005 NAICD poster (244 KB)

2005 NAICD pamphlet (352 KB)

2004 Children's Day Theme

One Childhood - One Chance

Let's not take a chance on our future - invest in our future leaders

For 2004 SNAICC chose a theme to reflect the importance of the early years of a child’s life and the profound impact childhood experiences have on children’s long term development. Since it was established SNAICC has advocated that all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children should have access to early childhood and child care programs which reflect Indigenous culture and family values. Ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children know, value and feel pride in their culture is critical. Early childhood programs and services have a particularly important role to play in supporting children to develop their self confidence and cultural identity.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are far less likely than other Australia children to have access to early childhood services and programs. With the rapidly increasing size of the Indigenous population this situation may decline further. The theme for 2004 highlights that increased investment in children’s development is urgently required to foster the development of the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders.

View the 2004 poster and leaflet here:

2004 Children's Day Poster

2004 Children's Day Leaflet

2003 Children's Day Theme

Not Now - Not Then - Not Ever

No Excuses - Speak Up Against Child Abuse

Break the Silence - Protect the Kids - Heal the Perpetrators

SNAICC, the Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care, has campaigned against child abuse for over two decades. Now more than ever as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people we must take a stand to protect our children. Child abuse and violence have no place in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. Take a stand your children - speak up against child abuse.

2002 Theme

SNAICC: Tracks in the Sand - A Path to Self determination

"Celebrating 20 years of independent advocacy and community development for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. "

SNAICC 2002 Poster

SNAICC encourages all Indigenous organisations to make plans for celebrating Children's Day each year on August 4th to recognise the achievements that organisations and communities have made at the local level in caring for their children.

For more information regarding National Aboriginal and Islander Children's Day contact SNAICC.

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