NAIDOC Week.

    This weekend I went to NAIDOC in the city, where Hyde Park North was turned into a lively gathering, with cultural events, markets, food and music. First I watched a beautiful sing and dance along for kids. Then I watched Chris Tamoy play guitar. I had my free lunch that was on offer, chicken, beef, roast potato and pineapple. I bought a souvenir which was some traditional coloured beads with silver shells.  

Do you want to know more? NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. Originally a civil rights gathering, it now includes a celebration of Indigenous culture. The theme this year is Voice, Treaty and Truth. With this year also being the United Nations International Year of Indigenous Languages.

The voice, treaty and truth theme is part of the 2017 Uluru Statement of the Heart, which is a formal statement of reforms that represent our first nation people. 

So let's explore this a little further what makes Voice, Treaty, and Truth important to Indigenous people in Australia?

In school we were taught that Australian history began in 1700 with the discovery of Australia by Captain Cook. In reality indigenous peoples have lived here for nearly 60,000 years and are the oldest surviving culture on the planet. Their customs, laws and attachment to the land still have meaning to them individually, and as a people. 

When we invaded them 200 years ago we introduced disease, incarcerated, killed, forced assimilation and would not acknowledge them or grant them any rights or priviledges. For 100 years we took their children from them and basically housed them in welfare. When we talk about voice, we mean recognition, a platform, education and democracy. 

Still the most incarcerated people in the world, 147 Aboringinal people have died in custody in the last decade, their voice is silenced. Even in case of mental illness being a factor only about half of them were helped in any way. Even though there was a  royal commission into deaths in custody in 1991, many Aboriginies still die in custody. If they could speak what would they say? 

Obviously following that we need a treaty with Indigenous Australians that addresses at least the major issues. Such as, rights, recognition, landrights, reconciliation, history and sovereignty. 

As for the truth, a lot of people have spoken up for Indigenous Australians, people have marched, explored, educated, helped, I would say the situation is improving. And not all Aboriginal people are of a lower class. There are successful people who are also black. I mean there are unsuccessful white people too. Everybody has their own problems. But there's no point lying about it. 

Sometimes the truth hurts. I mean people make excuses, pretend it doesn't exist, or just ignore it. Sure we have a Sorry day. But we still have racism, ignorance and violence. We still don't have a treaty. People are still in denial of our horrific past with mistreatment of Indiginous Australians. If we are to allow for the First Nations People to have a voice, then we need to begin to listen.

All in all Naidoc day in Hyde Park was a beautiful coming together of the people of Sydney to celebrate Aboriginal history and culture and I was proud to be a part of it. It shows that people can heal, that we can have reconciliation, resolution and equality for everyone.