I acknowledge and pay my respects to all Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. I pay my respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to all Elders past, present and emerging.
Sovereignty was never ceded.

It’s NAIDOC Week and Blak History Month here in Australia. Here are some quotes to explain more 🙂

“National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday), to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. You can support and get to know your local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities through activities and events held across the country.”

– Source: naidoc.org.au, ‘About National NAIDOC Week’, https://www.naidoc.org.au/about/naidoc-week. NAIDOC weeks spans from the 2nd July – 9th July 2023.

“Recognising that Australia is steeped in a rich Aboriginal and Torres Strait history, Blak History Month was proclaimed on the shoulders of giants and a cultural continuum from time immemorial.

July was chosen so as to embrace current celebrations such as NAIDOC week and the Coming of the Light, both of which are community events that serve historic purpose, however it was felt that a day and a week was not enough time given our wealth of hidden history and significant acts of achievement. So we have a 31 day month in which to illuminate our wonderfulness, each year, every year.  Celebrate with US!”

– Source: Blak History Month, ‘About’, https://www.blakhistorymonth.com/.

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I have compiled a list of wonderful books and resources created by and in collaboration with Indigenous Australian people.

The Voice to Parliament Handbook. All the Detail You Need By Thomas Mayo, Kerry O’Brien & Cathy Wilcox (Illustrator).

The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) “The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) is an Indigenous-led, national institute that celebrates, educates and inspires people from all walks of life to connect with the knowledge, heritage and cultures of Australia’s First Peoples.” -https://aiatsis.gov.au/

Growing Up Aboriginal in Australia – edited by Anita Heiss

Common Ground Australia “Common Ground is a First Nations not-for-profit. We’re working to shape a society that centres First Nations people by amplifying knowledge, cultures and stories.” – https://www.commonground.org.au/

Songspirals – Sharing Women’s Wisdom of Country Through Songlines by Gay’wu Group of Women

Loving Country – A Guide to Sacred Australia by Bruce Pascoe & Vicky Shukuroglou

Dark Emu by Bruce Pascoe

First Nations Food Companion – How to buy, cook, eat and grow Indigenous Australian ingredients By Damien Coulthard & Rebecca Sullivan

The Orb “The Orb celebrates Tasmanian Aboriginal people and the interconnections between Country, culture, identity, and Community. The Orb features interviews with Tasmanian Aboriginal Community members. It provides teachers with Australian Curriculum aligned resources to assist the teaching of Tasmanian Aboriginal histories and cultures.”

– https://www.theorb.tas.gov.au/

The First Knowledges series – “Each book is a collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous writers and editors. The series is edited by Margo Neale, senior Indigenous curator at the National Museum of Australia.” [Source: https://thamesandhudson.com.au/the-first-knowledges-series/].