Welcome to NAIDOC Week, from Brooke Prentis!
Brooke Prentis launches our NAIDOC Week Series, "Because of her, we can!" with a powerful reflection on the women who have shaped her life, and the opportunity for us all this NAIDOC Week.
This NAIDOC Week (July 8-15), we are celebrating the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Christian women who have gone before us, and continue to lead ministries that seek justice, healing and Reconciliation in this land.
To honour these women, from July 8-15, we'll be sharing stories from Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Christian women who have – and continue to – faithfully serve God, his Church and his peoples in the face of injustice and disadvantage.
This will be a deeply moving week.
Because of Aunty Pat Waria-Read, we can!
Sharon Varcoe, a Narungga women from South Australia, celebrates the life and ministry of Aunty Pat Waria-Read who has encouraged and supported her as a spiritual mother and mentor.
Because of Aunty Winnie Dawson, we can!
Sono Leone honours her grandmother Aunty Winnie Dawson who faithfully loved her family through all circumstances and became a determined advocate for justice in her time.
Because of Aunty Doseena Fergie, we can!
Safina Stewart celebrates the impact her mother Aunty Doseena Fergie has had on countless lives, as she continues to educate, inspire, advocate, lead, love and support people throughout the world.
Because of Aunty Joanne Brumel, we can!
Rachel Borneman honours her aunty through the skin system, Aunty Joanne Brumel, and celebrates her determination, her love for her family, her commitment to education, her leadership and support of the next generation, and her example of faithfulness amidst pain and difficulty.
Because of Aunty Jean Phillips, we can!
Brooke Prentis interviews Aunty Jean Phillips about the Aboriginal women who have shaped her life, her ministries empowering the next generation of Aboriginal Christian leaders, and her vision to see the Australian Church partnering with Aboriginal ministries in the healing of this land.
Because of Aunty Sharon Minniecon, we can!
Rev Mark Wormell celebrates Aunty Sharon Minniecon's 42 years of faithful Christian ministry across this country, and her continuning service to faithfully love and serve God, her people, and the wider church.
Because of Aunty Rev Denise Champion, we can!
Katherine Rainger celebrates the transformative ministry and theology of Aunty Rev Denise Champion, the first Aboriginal women ordained in South Australia.
NAIDOC Week is an annual week-long celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements and is an opportunity for us to recognise the contributions that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples make to our country and our society.
Under the theme - Because of Her, We Can! - NAIDOC Week 2018 will be held nationally from Sunday 8 July and continue through to Sunday 15 July.
As pillars of our society, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have played – and continue to play - active and significant roles at the community, local, state and national levels.
As leaders, trailblazers, pastors, theologians, politicians, activists and social change advocates, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women fought and continue to fight, for justice, equal rights, our rights to country, for law and justice, access to education, employment and to maintain and celebrate our culture, language, music and art.
They are our mothers, our elders, our grandmothers, our aunties, our sisters and our daughters.
Cheryl Moggs, a proud descendant of the Bigambul people of Goondiwindi, Bungunya and Toobeah regions in South West Queensland is this year’s winner of the prestigious National NAIDOC Poster Competition.
Her artwork - tarmunggie-woman – was judged to have beautifully interpreted this year’s NAIDOC theme – Because of her, we can! Cheryl drew on the history, courage and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to educate others. The artwork has three overlaying images, connecting dreamtime, culture and knowledge.
The painting has three sections with image overlays depicting stories. Uniting as one!!! (Spiritual and cultural connection) Across the stars (skies), connected to our lands and waterways. Keeping our dreaming stories, songlines, language, knowledge and future strong for all First Nations and generations to come.
Learn more about Cheryl's artwork, in her own words.
This poster is available to use in your NAIDOC Week celebrations, with attribution required to the artist. You can download the poster and view the conditions of use on the NAIDOC website.