NAIDOC WEEK celebrations are underway for 2023 and this year’s theme - ‘For Our Elders’ looks to the past to honour the contributions of elders to the lives of our First Nations People and Australia at large.
Elders provide generational knowledge, support and love to their community and hold a prominent position in community and family life.
Recognised globally as the oldest, continuous living culture on earth, our First Nations People are thought to have occupied Australia as far back as 60,000 years ago. NAIDOC WEEK celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders and this year intrinsically links the concept of ‘knowledge’ with community elders.
The artwork above was created by renowned Aboriginal artist Bobbi Lockyer, to emphasise the importance of the elders in passing down their wisdom: ‘Our elders are the foundation of our communities.’
Australia is fortunate to be home to the richness and diversity of these ancient cultures and we are invited to take pride in and celebrate this year’s NAIDOC WEEK.