Gowrie Victoria services got into the spirit of NAIDOC Week, with this year’s theme being ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud.’
NAIDOC Week occurs during the first week of July every year and is an opportunity for us all to celebrate and recognise the amazing history, culture, and achievements of First Nations peoples. For NAIDOC Week, staff at Gowrie Victoria services set up interactive experiences for children to engage in. Here is what some of our services did to celebrate this important week:
Gowrie Clare Court
The team at Clare Court created a display in the foyer inviting families to engage with children’s books by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authors. These books were curated as a selection of titles that celebrates the unyielding spirit of First Nations communities and also discuss injustices and challenges they have faced in a way that is appropriate for children in the early years. These stories offer authentic insights and perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, and during NAIDOC week, we encouraged families to pull up a seat and enjoy sharing one of these title’s together with their children.
Many of these books will already be familiar to children, as they are texts we use in our early years programs at Clare Court. The display also featured artwork by the Little Penguin children in Room 5, that was created as part of their Reconciliation week program earlier in the year.
Some of the books featured included ‘Say Yes: A story of friendship, fairness and a vote for hope’ by Jennifer Castles, with illustrations by Paul Seden, ‘Finding Our Heart’ by Thomas Mayer, ‘The First Scientists: Deadly Inventions and Innovations from Australia’s First Peoples’ by Corey Tutt, and ‘Our Home, Our Heartbeat’ by Adam Briggs. Illustrated by Kate Moon & Rachael Sarra
The children in rooms 7, 8, and 9 also came together to participate in an Acknowledgement of Country, as well as in a daily yarning circle. Each morning, they gathered around a fire constructed by the children in room 8, sparking discussions about the role of fire in First Nations cultures. Through Aboriginal songs and stories, the children explored how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures have used fire to nurture the land through Cultural Burning, promoting the growth of plants and creating harmonious environments for both wildlife and people.
Gowrie Broadmeadows Valley
Leading up to NAIDOC Week at Broadmeadows Valley, a poster was made collaboratively across all rooms. The poster was based on the theme ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud.’ During the making of the poster, children were being taught and had discussions about the representation of fire which is ‘the enduring strength of Indigenous cultures.’
Other experiences included the children exploring mark making, after taking inspiration from First Nations story books to draw things related to their connection to country, as well as doing a fire pit every morning. The children were reminded and taught about the importance of fire in First Nations culture. First Nations peoples used fire to cook, keep warm and gather around to sing and build a stronger community.
Gowrie @ The Harbour
Children of the Barrawarn Room were invited to contribute to a communal artwork inspired by the NAIDOC Week art created by Deb Belyea. A large canvas was created across a table and wall, where children used an array of materials to create large sweeping motions, as inspired by the artwork.
As the children created and collaborated, they listened to First Nations artists such as Dan Sultan and Archie Roach. This year’s NAIDOC Week theme was reflected on amongst the teaching team in reference to the failed referendum, and just how important it is as early childhood educators to continue to explore First Nations ways of knowing and being, and our shared histories.
Gowrie Carlton Learning Precinct
CLP embraced NAIDOC Week by recommitting to reconciliation, and particularly building children’s relationship to Country. The service is on Wurundjeri land, and they paid particular attention to supporting curiosity and care for the natural landscape. With CLP being in a very urban setting, they trained their eyes, ears and hands to identify all the amazing nature around them.
Some of the children explored the native bush space at the primary school, building connections to the school, the community, Country and each other. Within CLP focus was on spotting native visitors, and with several friendly currawongs and magpies visiting daily, children all learnt what song to listen out for. Lastly, new plants were planted, with several native plants, herbs and veggies going into the ground over the week. A dedicated pollinator patch will feed the birds, bees and butterflies and help build biodiversity in the area. These plantings will give children an opportunity to look at growth cycles and seasonality as well as discovering new native flavours and building children’s understanding of where food comes from.
