For the children at our Aboriginal playgroups, NAIDOC is not only a week full of fun activities; it is a whole learning experience. They get to talk to Elders, eat traditional foods, do traditional art, and hear the dreamtime stories. They learn so much in NAIDOC week about their own families and culture and get to hear from other Aboriginal nations about their stories. Playgroup NSW recognises the contribution that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have made to our culture, as the First Nations of this land, and we join with our Aboriginal playgroup families across NSW to celebrate.
NAIDOC week events are held around Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Playgroup NSW recognises the contribution that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have made to our culture, as the First Nations of this land, and we join with our Aboriginal families across NSW to celebrate.
This year’s theme is Songlines- the living narrative of our nation. This will highlight the importance of songlines to the existence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people the Dreamtime describes a time when the earth, people and animals were created by ancestral spiritual beings. They created rivers, lakes, plants, land formations and living creatures. Dreaming tracks are sometimes called Songlines, which record the travels of these spirits who sung the land to life.
Our Aboriginal parents at playgroup will share culture, their art and their dreamtime stories that have been passed on from generation to generation. NAIDOC is a time to come together as a community and share culture with everyone from the wider communities.
For our Aboriginal playgroup in Wagga Wagga, this year’s theme is especially relevant as they have been reading dreamtime stories and getting the parents and children to sing in Wiradjuri language.
For the children, NAIDOC is not only a week of fun activities; it is a whole learning experience. They get to talk to Elders, eat traditional foods, do traditional art, and hear the dreamtime stories. They learn so much in NAIDOC week about their own families and culture and get to hear from other Aboriginal nations about their stories.
Jayden, a little boy who attends the Wagga Wagga Aboriginal Playgroup asked us this week if he could teach the other children at playgroup how to dance like his grandfather had shown him. He wanted them to dance like Emu’s and to hunt for food.
This is what NAIDOC is for our people. All children and families sharing stories, dance and their own cultures.
Playgroup NSW run several playgroups for Aboriginal families in Graton and Wagga Wagga. For more information, ring 1800 171 882.
Playgroup NSW is participating at these NAIDOC Week Events:
Wagga Wagga - Monday, 4 July 10.30am-2.30pm
The Yalbilinya, Girinya, Buwanha (Learn, Play, Grow) Playgroup is holding a special event for the community with Aboriginal music and arts and crafts.
Venue: Tolland Community Hub, Blake Street, TOLLAND
West Gosford – Tuesday, 5 July 10am-3pm
Playgroup NSW has a stand at the annual NAIDOC Community day hosted by Nunyara Aboriginal Health, Central Coast Local Health District. Over 4,000 people are expected.
Venue: 4 Racecourse Road
Grafton – Thursday, 7 July 10am-2pm
Community NAIDOC celebration including Playgroup NSW offering a free Children’s Art Workshop and craft activities
Venue: Grafton Showground, 149 Prince Street