NAIDOC Week Statement

QCC’s Deputy Chair Sherie Bruce, a proud Arrernte woman of Mparntwe (Alice
Springs) shares the importance of this year’s NAIDOC Week theme, ‘Heal Country’.

NAIDOC Week occurs annually each July, where the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are celebrated by Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. This year, NAIDOC Week runs from July 4 to July 11.

The theme for 2021 is Heal Country; which encourages embracing First Nations peoples cultural understanding and knowledge of Country as part of their personal identity and Australia's national heritage. 

The English word ‘Country’ is a belief system that goes far beyond the Western definition. For Australian First Nations ‘Country’ means our family, kin, law, ceremony, traditions, language, nature, and land are all interconnected. Country includes landforms, air, plants, waters, knowledge, and special places. Every community in each Nation has custodial responsibilities to care for their Country and is central to our spirituality and identity. 

Healing is a change, a change in each person and our nation. Beginning with recognition of other cultures different to yours, recognition of Australia’s past history. The Healing continues with accepting that past and walking together with Australia’s First Nations.

Healing Country means embracing First Nation’s cultural knowledge and understanding of Country as part of Australia’s national heritage.

Please take the time to learn more about Australia’s First Nations and support them in protecting and Healing Country.

https://www.protectcountrynt.org.au/
https://www.seedmob.org.au/ban_fracking