NAIDOC DAY (20TH JUNE 2023)

The 2023 theme for NAIDOC Day is ‘For Our Elders’, highlighting the important role that cultural knowledge holders and leaders bring to their community.

Students heard that Aunty Sherry, the Indigenous Contemporary artist who painted our ‘Creation Story’ displayed in the library and ‘IAS Values’ displayed in the office, shared information with Mrs Lieder and the staff regarding the totem animals representing the Yagara nation, the traditional custodians of the land in the Ipswich area.

Jagera people – Brown Sanke

Yuggera people – Sand Goanna

Ugarapul people – Green Frog

Students learned that elders who are keepers of information, traditions and knowledge, pass down information from generation to generation through the telling of stories, art and dance. Students made the connection that the generational storytelling method is Biblical after reading Psalm 78:1-6.

In honour of the information that was shared, students were able to decorate their chosen totem as an activity in celebration of NAIDOC week. The week celebration from 2nd to 9th of July is an opportunity for all Australians to participate in celebrations and learn about First Nations culture.