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Bass Coast Reconciliation Network calls to heal country as part of NAIDOC week 2021

Celebrating NAIDOC week through art, supporting the contribution and talent of the first nation in Bass Coast.

By news@gippsland - 1st July 2021 - Back to News

On behalf of the Bass Coast Reconciliation Network, Bass Coast Reconciliation Network wishes everyone a happy NAIDOC and encourages everyone to consider this year's theme of Heal Country! - which calls for all of us to continue to seek greater protections for our lands, our waters, our sacred sites and our cultural heritage from exploitation, desecration, and destruction.

The annual Bass Coast NAIDOC Awards recognise the outstanding contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and highlight their excellence and contribution in their life

Celebrating the first nation

NAIDOC Week 2021 will be held from Sunday 4 July to Sunday 11 July and invites the nation to embrace First Nations' cultural knowledge and understanding of Country as part of Australia's national heritage and equally respect the culture and values of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders as they do the cultures and values of all Australians.

National NAIDOC Committee says, "Country is more than a place and inherent to our identity. Country that we speak about like a person, sustaining our lives in every aspect - spiritually, physically, emotionally, socially, and culturally."

Celebration through art

Bass Coast Reconciliation Network is made up of members from Bass Coast Shire Council, Bass Coast Health, Westernport Water, Phillip Island Nature Parks, Bunurong Land Council, Bass Coast South Gippsland Reconciliation Group and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community members.

"During NAIDOC, we are proud to be supporting the wonderful Indigenous Art Exhibition at ArtSpace in Wonthaggi which runs until Sunday 18 July. The exhibition is curated and run by Bass Coast South Gippsland Reconciliation Group who are Network members and is a wonderful showcase of the talent in Bass Coast," said Patrice Mahoney OAM, Bass Coast Shire Council Aboriginal Development Officer."

Walk for reconciliation

Ms Mahoney said, "The Network had also planned to hold the Bridge Walk for Reconciliation during NAIDOC, but instead have chosen the new date of Wednesday 4 August at 11am - 2pm which is also National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day. This date will enable school and broader community participation. Further details of the walk will be shared closer to the day and we look forward to walking with the community in August."

Opportunity for Australians

NAIDOC is an opportunity for all Australians to come together to celebrate the rich history, diverse cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the oldest continuing cultures on the planet. Heal Country, heal our nation. For further information visit NAIDOC week 2021.

Keep in touch on Bass Coast event updates at NAIDOC updates.

Pictures from Bass Coast web page.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com