ABC Education is proud to announce that it has once again been chosen to partner with the NAIDOC committee to create official NAIDOC week Education Resources for this year’s theme: ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Loud, Blak and Proud.’
The resources were overseen by NAIDOC Committee, Co-Chair, Dr Lynette Riley, AO, and written by experienced educators from Culture is Life. We would like to acknowledge the writers of this resource, Thara Brown (Yorta Yorta), Aunty Stephanie Armstrong OAM (Gamilaraay/Bigambul), Jasmine Miller (Wirangu/Kokatha) and Arkeria Armstrong (Gamilaraay/Bigambul), as well as the team the wider Culture is Life team who contributed to these resources including CEO Belinda Duarte (Wotjobaluk/Dja Dja Wurrung), Madeline Wells (Palawa/Koori), Alex Shain and designer Sofii McKenzie-Kirkbright (Koori) for their valued contribution.
The guide will assist all Australian teachers on how to meaningfully introduce the themes of this NAIDOC week to students and their school communities and can be discovered on the NAIDOC and ABC Education websites on June 17th.
According to the National NAIDOC Committee, ‘Keep the Fire Burning!’ is a nod to the vitality and endurance of culture, and a nod to connection with Country and community, while ‘Blak, Loud and Proud’ represents an unapologetic celebration of identity.
The Resources
The resources which are designed for Levels F-10, and are in line with the Australian Curriculum include discussions and activities for older students to learn about and honour the lives of the Elders and Senior Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have blazed the way. They also provide guidance for early childhood and early primary educators to imagine a freedom of spirit and Country where possibilities to create space — through the imagination of children — can foster the strength of children.
There are two distinct needs in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education outlined in the Australian Curriculum: “firstly that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students are able to see themselves, their identities and their cultures reflected in the curriculum of each of the learning areas, can fully participate in the curriculum and can build their self-esteem” and secondly “that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures cross-curriculum priority is designed for all students to engage in reconciliation, respect and recognition of the world’s oldest continuous living cultures.”
A Message from the CEO
For me, the NAIDOC theme “Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud” is a reminder to remain intentional and ensure we stay focused on what matters to our children, young people, families and communities. Continuing the necessary work to leave a legacy for generations, sharing our pride, loving loud and respectfully honouring our people is at the core of what we do at Culture is Life.
We are again extraordinarily grateful for the opportunity to be the official education resource partner, standing united on this work with the National NAIDOC committee and the ABC. We invite you to join us in this action by sharing through schools and community organisations to pay tribute to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and for you to share more stories in your communities as part of the “Keep the Fire Burning” NAIDOC theme.
Celebrating NAIDOC this year is a reminder of who we are and have always been. That the stand and fight for equity, justice and respect continues.
Dalki dalk (Thank you) to Thara Brown for your leadership and the team of contributors in creating the NAIDOC 2024 resources.
Belinda Duarte
(Wotjobaluk and Dja Dja Wurrung)
CEO, Culture is Life
A Message from NAIDOC
“The National NAIDOC Committee is proud to announce the 2023 National NAIDOC Week Educational Resources, in partnership with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and First Nations educators at Culture is Life, an Aboriginal-led non-for profit organisation.
The NAIDOC theme for 2024, “KEEP THE FIRE BURNING! BLAK, LOUD AND PROUD”, is a remembrance and reminder of the constant fights for equity in this our own land, since Cook illegally staked a claim in Australia as being Terra Nullius, and then with the arrival of colonists, who only saw their own needs as superseding our existence and rights, and in the ongoing process sought to wipe our cultures and ways of co-existing with our Countries. We as multiple Nations across Aboriginal Australia and in the Torres Strait Islands, have much to celebrate as survivors and high achievers fighting for our rights, and ongoing teachings about what is needed to ensure endurance in this country of ours Australia. We are proudly loud as we celebrate all our peoples in their continuance, as we weave our way through a Western system and support our children and their children to stay strong in their culture and in their journeys to strengthen this country. Much like a controlled fire, done the right way, we and our Country thrive and survive.”
Aunty (Dr) Lynette Riley AO
(Wiradjuri/Gamilaroi)
Co-Chair, National NAIDOC Committee
A Message from ABC
NAIDOC Week is a special time to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander achievements and deepen the understanding of our culture and history. A big part of this is connecting with young Australians and learning about First Nations stories and history in the classroom. This year’s theme, ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud’, celebrates the enduring strength of First Nations culture and offers teachers a chance to explore various topics, perspectives and experiences with students. We’re proud to encourage our youngest Australians to engage with the world’s oldest continuing culture.
Kelrick Martin, ABC Head of Indigenous
As the official media partner for NAIDOC Week 2024, we are delighted to have been asked by Committee Co-Chair, Dr Lynette Riley AO to support the creation of the NAIDOC education resources under her supervision.
The ABC has drawn once again on the expert educators from Culture is Life, an Aboriginal-led, not-for-profit organisation that focuses on strengthening cultural ties of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
I would like to thank all those at Culture is Life for the invaluable work they have undertaken to produce resources that reflect this year’s theme – Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud.
David Anderson, ABC Managing Director
