For our Elders …

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders are a fundamental part of our communities. Our Elders are our wisdom keepers. They have witnessed the many changes, so dramatically incurred in their lifetime. They are the vital bridge between the modern world and Aboriginal culture. They are the leaders of our communities. There is no time more urgent to sit down and listen to our Elders than now.

“The Elders are the ones that hold on to the culture and the lore, they are the most important aspect of healing our people. They have the enormous task of maintaining and passing on traditional knowledge, values and customary practices, while helping us find balance as we navigate between two very different worlds,” National NAIDOC Committee Co-Chair, Steven Satour said. “They have laid the foundations for us to be successful across multiple sectors like health, education, the arts, politics and everything in between.

“The inspiration they spark in us allows us to dream of futures that are bigger, brighter and blacker and that’s what we are celebrating this NAIDOC Week.”