In June the decision was made to postpone NAIDOC Week 2020 celebrations from the original July dates to this week, 8-15 November. This very sensible decision was made based on the ongoing uncertainty stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic and aimed to protect the health of communities right across Australia.
While events will take place differently and virtually across the country in line with local regulations, this year’s theme of Always Was, Always Will Be really resonates with me.
It resonates because it highlights the fact that we, as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, have a continuity on country for tens of thousands of years and it highlights the strength and resilience it has taken to retain that continuity.
Against the global backdrop of the Black Lives Matter movement and closer to home the high-profile of the Juukan Gorge disaster, this year – more than any other – I feel there is a platform to tell this story of strength and resilience.
Our Indigenous clients at Marrawah Law know that we are being heard because of our persistent activism and community support and that is why the NAIDOC theme is so important.
Through our work at Marrawah Law we are deeply committed to making sure our clients are heard and that their rights are upheld. We understand, and embrace, this challenge.
As a 100% Indigenous owned firm we offer a unique perspective and because we walk in two worlds, we can also support our Corporate and Government clients to understand why Always Was, Always Will Be is so important to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
NAIDOC Week is a chance to work together and celebrate our achievements and, most importantly to listen and learn.