NAIDOC Week, this week, is being marked across the Territory by Government Agencies with the Aboriginal flag and the Torres Strait Islander flag raised alongside the ACT and Australian flags outside the Legislative Assembly since Monday.
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Rachel Stephen-Smith said the Week was an opportunity to celebrate and reflect on the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in Canberra.
“This year’s NAIDOC theme Heal Country! reflects the cultural and spiritual importance of Country for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People and the need to regenerate and protect Country,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.
“For First Nations People, Country means more than the mountains, plains and rivers – it includes all living things and embraces seasons, stories and spirits,” she said.
Ms Stephen-Smith encouraged Canberrans to attend the range of NAIDOC events on offer across the ACT.
Commissioner for Work Health and Safety, Jacqueline Agius said NAIDOC Week was celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life.
“WorkSafe ACT is on Ngunnawal Country, we walk in the footsteps of all of those before us with the deepest respect,” Ms Agius said.
The ACT Emergency Services Agency (ACTESA) said it was committed to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, land and Country to thrive.
ACTESA said some of its initiatives included consultation on land management practices; smoking ceremonies to recognise the partnership between the land, the people and the ACTESA; commissioned art within its facilities and on service vehicles; and ACT Fire & Rescue’s Indigenous Fire & Rescue Employment Strategy.
“Healing Country is an ongoing process and we take pride in our role in protecting land, sacred sites and cultural heritage in the ACT and surrounding regions,” ACTESA said.
