National Aboriginal and Islanders Day Observance Committee celebrations will be held across the south-west during the next fortnight, with Warrnambool award winners being announced on Monday morning.
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Gunditjmara acting chief executive officer Ash Couzens said a range of activities were planned, kicking off with six award winners announced on Monday at the Civic Green after a breakfast starting at 9am.
He said the venue had been picked to try and involve as much of the Warrnambool community as possible.
"It's a great way to launch the celebrations. There are six awards and we want the general public to get involved - come and have a look, everyone is welcome," he said.
Mr Couzens said the breakfast would start at 9am with the award winners announced from 10.15am.
The celebrations continue on Tuesday at Framlingham's Kirrae Health Service between 10am and 2pm.
On Thursday there will be a range of activities at South West Healthcare between 11.30am and 2pm including traditional dancers, a local language session and live music.
Between 2.30pm and 3.30pm on Thursday there will be the unveiling of Hayley Miller-Baker's exhibition at the Warrnambool Art Gallery.
A family day is planned on Friday at the Harris Street Reserve between 9am and noon and the NAIDOC Ball is at the Lighthouse Theatre from 7pm.
On Tuesday, July 9, there will be a morning tea at Warrnambool's St John Of God Hospital.
South West TAFE is also hosting events across its five campuses next week.
There will be activities at the Warrnambool campus on Wednesday, July 10, between noon and 2pm.
National NAIDOC member Dr Lynette Riley explained the importance of teaching and learning about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and history.
She said NAIDOC had a long tradition to celebrate.
"This is done significantly through provision of educational and cultural programs both in our communities and within our schools," she said.
"The Australian Curriculum: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures cross-curriculum priority is working towards addressing two distinct needs in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education:
- That Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students are able to see themselves, their identities and their cultures reflected in the curriculum of each of the learning areas, can fully participate in the curriculum and can build their self-esteem; and
- That the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures cross-curriculum priority is designed for all students to engage in reconciliation, respect and recognition of the world's oldest continuous living cultures."
Dr Riley said it wasn't always easy for teachers to come up with ideas for teaching.
"They need to have created contact with their local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and parents, to ensure what they offer is appropriate," she said.
"But if they haven't or can't do that they may need support through some foundational ideas, to get started. Last year we provided some ideas, and these information sheets were downloaded in excess of 30,000 times. So this year we thought we had better continue this educational support.
Dr Riley said information sheets could be used as discussion starters in local communities.
"Let us know how your teachings go and if you have suggestions for other teachers, let us know them as well and we will include those in future suggestions and ideas for teaching in NAIDOC," she said.
"For me education is central to all we do in ensuring truth telling and making sure all people have the real facts about Aboriginal people's cultures and histories of contact in Australia."
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