News And Events

Today marks the beginning of NAIDOC Week 2016, a time to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements and to recognise the contribution Indigenious Australians make to our culture and society.

Orygen staff member Kara Goodman-Smith welcomes everyone to the week:



Hi I’m Kara, and I’d like to welcome you to NAIDOC week 2016.
 
For many of you, this will be your first time participating in NAIDOC week, and I welcome you all to join in on the celebration. Community events are being held all around Australia between the 3rd and 10th of July.
 
NAIDOC week is not just a celebration for indigenous Australians, but rather a celebration for all Australians, no matter where you originated.
 
This year’s theme for NAIDOC is Songlines: The living narrative of our nation. Songlines have been talked about in indigenous culture for tens of thousands of years and date back to the Dreamtime.
 
During the Dreamtime, when our ancestral spiritual beings created the earth, the trees, the ocean and all living creatures, they left tracks on the land. These tracks are called Songlines.
 
The Songlines are records of the travel of our ancestors, as they sung the land into life. Songlines are a connection to this land that allow our people to share sacred stories and continue to perform important cultural ceremonies.
 
Sharing stories is an important part of our culture and history. I myself am a Palawa woman. My Grandmother was born on Cape Barren Island, off the North East Coast of Tasmania and as of 2014, the population was a mere 67 people.
 
Unfortunately, during the 1800s when sealers took over the island, our stories slowly left us over time. There are very few records of our culture from our Island, which I hope in time, can change with the new generations who are becoming more and more interested in finding out about our past.
 
NAIDOC week is the perfect opportunity to ask questions, to have a yarn and get involved in community events.
 
I hope you all enjoy this week’s festivities and once again, welcome to NAIDOC Week 2016.