National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day Event 2017

On Friday 4th August, NCNS celebrated the National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Children’s Dayevent at our Koolyangarra Aboriginal Family Centre with our local community.

The theme for NATSICD this year was Value our rights, Respect our Culture, Bring us home.

What does this mean?

This year, Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care, known as SNAICC, recognised the 20thanniversary of the Bringing them home report that was established in 1997. This report exposed the violations of human rights of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander children, families and communities through the policies & practices of the Stolen Generation.

Aboriginal children are 9.5 times more likely to experience out of home care. The forced removal of Aboriginal children from their families had, and continues to have, a devastating effect on the mental health and well being of Aboriginal people

This is evident in the story of CJ, an Aboriginal child who was removed from his family and ran away from 15 foster homes. He stated:

You don’t just get taken away from your family out of the blue and expect to adapt, I would have at least liked to have been with Aboriginal people.”

Cj developed depression and an alcohol addiction due to the separation from his family and culture. To read more of his story click here.

CJ’s story, along with many others like him, demonstrates the importance of family, culture & community plays in our children’s development and well-being.

This is an important event; a day dedicated to Aboriginal children, giving them the confidence to stand tall, to be proud of their culture and to create a sense of belonging within the community.

Check out how we celebrated the day below!

Acknowledgement to country in Yualawraay by Doreen Peters, NCNS Board Director; community and staff together were intrigued by her stories.

Animal wood template painting

Walan Mahlee Aboriginal Dance Groups performance

Aboriginal paintings on canvas

Animal artwork

Dreamtime stories with Jenny Riley

MP Stuart Aryes popped in for a visit to show his support for the day. Pictured here getting into the animal artwork.

Father and daughter creating wooden Aboriginal symbols.

Watch the SNAIC National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day video here.

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