Keep the Fire Burning! NAIDOC Week 2024

NAIDOC Week commences on Sunday July 7th and is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living culture on earth.

This year’s theme, ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud‘, is a powerful reflection of individual and community spirit, strength, vitality, solidarity, and a call for an amplification of voices. It invites all Australians to listen, learn, and engage in meaningful dialogue, fostering a society where the wisdom and contributions of Indigenous peoples are fully valued and respected.

This NAIDOC week, PCNSW would like to recognise Reakeeta Smallwood, a proud Calala murri yinarr within the Gamilaroi nation, recently appointed Senior Lecturer in Nursing, Indigenous and population health, at the University of Sydney. Reaketta is a young Indigenous leader who is driving positive change and advocating for a more inclusive and equitable society. We look forward to listening and learning from Reakeeta at our State Conference this year with her presentation titled ‘Telling Stories Healing Ways: Aboriginal ways of knowing, being and doing to privilege voices from Community’ in which stories across the spaces of health practice and research with Aboriginal lived experiences will be shared, highlighting the importance of Cultural Safety, Cultural Humility, and importance of privileging voices from within community on Gamilaroi Country.

This week, and every week, Palliative Care NSW (PCNSW) commits to recognising the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. PCNSW acknowledges that there is a need for greater palliative care services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities in regional and remote areas. We strive to listen and learn about the underlying palliative and end-of-life care issues and concerns experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. We respect the cultural sensitivities that may be experienced during times of sorry business, sad business and finishing up.

Learn more about NAIDOC week in your community and Keep the Fire Burning by clicking here: NAIDOC Week in NSW

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