Bulldogs and Young Academics come together to celebrate NAIDOC Week

Freya Lucas

Jul 16, 2024

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Early childhood education and care (ECEC) provider Young Academics celebrated NAIDOC Week last week with the help and support of NRL team the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs.

Indigenous Elder Uncle John was invited by the Bulldogs to attend a local Young Academics Early Learning Centre and conduct a Welcome to Country and traditional smoking ceremony.

Children at the service participated in various activities to celebrate and enhance their understanding of First Nations culture under the supervision of Uncle John including exploring symbols, completing a connecting with land exploration table, and taking part in First Nations focused arts and crafts through a family/community hand collage.

“People can educate themselves by engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and with that engagement, you’re learning about their stories and how things came to be. This helps us to come together and stay together by understanding each other’s stories," Uncle John said.

“It’s very important to educate from a young age and one of the paramount beliefs is to respect your Elders. By respecting the Elders, you’re also respecting the culture, and by teaching the young to respect the culture, you’re also respecting everyone in the community.”

Speaking on behalf of Young Academics Group Operations Manager Jenni Gaffney said the special engagement from Uncle John was an important opportunity for children to experience and learn about First Nations culture from a young age.

“These ceremonies not only honour the traditional custodians of the land but also provide a profound and tangible connection to Indigenous heritage, fostering respect and understanding that will stay with them throughout their lives,” she said.

"It is crucial for children to learn about Indigenous heritage from an early age as it fosters a deep sense of respect, understanding, and appreciation for the rich cultural diversity that shapes our nation and our Young Academics Centres. By integrating Indigenous knowledge and traditions into their early education, we help build a foundation of inclusivity and awareness that will guide them throughout their lives."

Learn more about Young Academics here.

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