Celebrating Naidoc Week 2021
This blog post showcases and celebrates organisations, businesses, people and places that inspire us.
'In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.'
The 4th of July marked the beginning of Naidoc Week 2021. This year’s theme is Heal Country which calls for all of us to continue to seek greater protections for all land, water, Indigenous sacred sites and cultural heritage from exploitation, desecration and destruction.
As things change around the world, more and more of us are exploring the beautiful land that is Australia. As non-indigenous people, we feel it’s so important to connect and come together to celebrate the incredible indigenous culture that invigorates the land so that we too can be part of a generation that builds a better future.
Artist: Rachel Sarra
Rachael is a contemporary Aboriginal artist from Goreng Goreng Country, she uses her art as a powerful tool in storytelling to educate & share Aboriginal culture and its evolution. With the most vibrant and gorgeous colour palette, Rachael evokes a sense of vibrancy - deeply rooted in tradition whilst exploring her own personal identity as an indigenous woman.
*Original artworks by Rachel Sarra shown
Founder: Cormach Evans
Cormach Evans is a proud Yorta Yorta man and the founder of two incredible organisations: Strong Brother Strong Sister and Ngarrimili.
Strong Brother, Strong Sister
Founded in May 2017, Strong Brother, Strong Sister aims to create culturally appropriate safe spaces for Aboriginal young people to access and thrive within so that they can achieve excellence.
Proudly 100% Aboriginal Owned and Operated, the organisation offers a range of services and programs across Australia, and continue to be a part of a positive change in the community.
Last year Surfing Victoria and the Victorian Indigenous Surfing Program announced their partnership Strong Brother Strong Sister - “allowing the two organisations excellence to grow further and thrive, ensuring First Nations children, youth and their families have the opportunities to connect with community, culture and positive health and wellbeing and a love for the ocean through surfing.”
Ngarrimili
Ngarrimili is an aboriginal led not-for-profit that supports first nations aspiring and established businesses and creatives. They are the first of their kind - established solely to support and create business and economic pathways for first nation communities.
Ngarrimili offers programs for current and future Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander entrepreneurs, representing their different life and business stages. The programs represent an exciting innovation, blending the 80,000-year strong culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities with business and social impact thinking. These programs will deliver opportunities for creative thinking, new business development and education for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Indigenous Australian Fashion Labels.
Australia is truly blessed with some incredible Indigenous fashion labels. Here are some of our favourites.
“NORTH exists as a vessel to celebrate, support and broaden the exposure of textile design by Indigenous artists from remote community Art Centres.”
“Born from the red sandhills of central western Queensland, Australia, Red Ridge the Label shines a spotlight on central western Queensland Aboriginal artists by expressing their work in beautiful fashion.”
“Clothing The Gaps is a Victorian Aboriginal led label. We are fresh and dynamic, and managed by health professionals who celebrate Aboriginal people and culture.”
Network: Seed
Seed is Australia’s first Indigenous youth climate network. Their network aims to create a movement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people for climate justice with the Australian Youth Climate Coalition.
Their vision is for a just and sustainable future with strong cultures and communities, powered by renewable energy.
“Climate change is one of the greatest threats facing humanity, but we also know it is an opportunity to create a more just and sustainable world.”
Restaurant: Mabu Mabu
“Nornie Bero is the head chef and business owner of Mabu Mabu. Originally from Mer Island in the Torres Strait, Nornie has been a professional chef for over 20 years. Nornie is on a mission to put Indigenous ingredients in kitchens across Australia. We want people to be using, eating and celebrating Indigenous ingredients every day.”
Mabu Mabu is a term from the Torres Strait that means ‘help yourself’. Traditionally, a Mabu Mabu is a banquet, shared table or big family meal that we put out for family gatherings, weddings, funerals, and tombstone openings. It’s how we like to enjoy food on the islands: surrounded by the people we love. When the food is ready, we say ‘Mabu Mabu’ and everyone goes in!
Whether you’re supporting an organisation or local business, Naidoc week is all about building a more inclusive community for All. As travellers of this land, we hope to build our own awareness of Indigenous culture and do our part to heal our Country.
With Love,
The Doozy Nomads - Lauren and Lenny
