NAIDOC Week will be celebrated this week across Australia.
It celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC stands for ‘National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee’, which emerged from Aboriginal groups in the 1920s that worked to raise awareness of the status and treatment of Aboriginal people.
This year’s NAIDOC theme – Always Was, Always Will Be – invites you to embrace the history of this nation, recognising that First Nations people have cared for the country for over 65,000 years with the world’s oldest continuing cultures, responsible for the earliest maps, oral stories and paintings.
This event might provide an opportunity for your community group or workplace to think about how you could work with the Traditional Owners in your area on your next rabbit management project.
Last year VRAN visited the far north-west corner of Victoria, as part of an ongoing program to build knowledge about managing rabbits in culturally sensitive landscapes. We held a workshop that aimed to build partnerships and raise awareness of Aboriginal heritage.
The north west of Victoria is a truly unique part of Australia, in terms of the number of globally significant ancient Aboriginal burial sites, however sites have been significantly damaged by rabbits. Parks Victoria and the First People of Millewa Mallee are working tirelessly to protect the most highly culturally sensitive areas. Watch this video to find out more about the workshop and keep an eye out for the case study coming soon.
More information:
- Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Guide for Landcare and environmental volunteering groups and networks
- Understand why areas of cultural heritage sensitivity are defined and where they are located.
- Aboriginal Victoria delivers services and programs to protect Aboriginal cultural heritage and strengthen Aboriginal communities.
- Do you have a question in relation to rabbit management and working in sensitive landscapes? Contact Heidi Kleinert, VRAN Executive Officer.
- National NAIDOC Week 2020
