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Media Release
MEDIA RELEASE
– 3 August 2007
Statement by SNAICC Chairperson
Ms Muriel Bamblett on the occasion of 2007 National Aboriginal and
Islander Children's Day (4 August 2007).
National Aboriginal and
Islander Children’s Day – Saturday 4 August
Indigenous Culture Strengthens and Heals Indigenous
Children Across the Land
Communities across the
country will celebrate National Aboriginal and Islander Children’s
Day (NAICD) this weekend, putting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
children and culture at the heart of their communities.
In Port Augusta, South Australia, up to 200 children under 5 years
old and their families will enjoy a family fun day held by the Early
Years Parenting Centre, with a barbecue, face painting, games, and
a ‘Sea of Hands’ event to bring together Indigenous
and non-Indigenous children. Meanwhile, the children and families
from Undoonoo Child Care Centre in Woorabinda, Queensland, will
parade down the main street to celebrate the day, and enjoy a family
barbecue with bush tucker, cultural activities and a traditional
dance corroboree at Kangaroo Stadium.
Organised annually by the Secretariat of National Aboriginal and
Islander Child Care (SNAICC), the theme for this year’s National
Aboriginal and Islander Children’s Day is ‘Raise children
strong in culture: pathways to healing and revival’.
SNAICC Chairperson Muriel Bamblett, AM, said today, “For an
Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child, culture is a source
of strength, resilience, happiness, identity and confidence.”
“Communities and families that raise their children strong
in culture create many pathways to healing and revival: children
develop confidence and pride in themselves, their families and their
culture; and communities grow in pride and strength,” Ms Bamblett
said.
Ms Bamblett continued, “Too often in the media, Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander culture is portrayed as the problem underlying
the concerns children and families face in our communities. Nothing
can be further from the truth.”
“This year, Children’s Day allows our communities to
highlight how important Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander children
are to us, and what our culture offers them. Parents, grandparents,
uncles, aunties, cousins, and other carers will show children the
strengths of our culture and spirituality, show pride in their cultural
identity and encourage children to do the same,” Ms Bamblett
said.
In New South Wales, the Narrandera Aboriginal Infants and Mothers
Health Service is hosting a children’s outing at the local
park day with face painting, hand painting on calico, didgeridoo
activities, family photos, Wiradjuri singing, and races, in conjunction
with local Aboriginal groups and families.
This year, SNAICC is pleased more mainstream services and schools
around the country are embracing this celebration. For instance,
the South Australian Department of Education and Children’s
Services and the Victorian Office for Children have distributed
SNAICC’s NAICD material to early learning centres and kindergartens
in each state.
“We welcome initiatives that highlight the importance of raising
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children strong in their culture.
These are significant steps in a journey of true healing and revival
for all Australians,” Ms Bamblett said.
SNAICC, the national peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander children and families, first initiated National Aboriginal
and Islander Children’s Day in 1988.
SNAICC gratefully acknowledges the financial contribution of the
Australian Government Department of Families, Community Services
and Indigenous Affairs towards funding NAICD posters.
For media comment:
Ms Muriel Bamblett
– SNAICC Chairperson (03) 9489 8099.
For more information:
Julian Pocock, SNAICC Executive Officer: (03) 9489
8099
More information on Children’s
Day, including activities around the country, is available on the
Children's Day page.
Or from the SNAICC Publications Officer – Mark Lawrence (03)
9489 8099
You
can download the full text pdf version of this media release here
(208 KB)
Children's Day links
and resources
More
information on 2007 Children's Day theme
List
of 2007 NAICD Events across the country
2007
Children's Day poster, leaflet and Activity Kit
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