Have You Started Planning for National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day?

On 4 August 2020, we celebrate National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day (Children’s Day). This is our national day dedicated to celebrating our children. This special day (which also coincidentally is my daughter’s birthday, turning four!), is an important occasion for us all to celebrate all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, as well as learn about the crucial impact that culture, family and community play in the life of every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child.

The theme for this year's Children's Day is: We are the Elders of tomorrow, hear our voice.

This special day first started back in 1988 in the context of the many protests led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their supporters during the bicentennial year. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples felt a day was needed to celebrate our children, to give them confidence and make them feel special and included.

This day was also chosen because 4 August was historically used to communally celebrate the birthdays of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were taken from their families at a young age, without knowing their birthday – the Stolen Generations.

Community organizations and schools can get involved in a range of ways, e.g. hosting a morning tea to celebrate, facilitating some cultural dancing, arts and craft sessions, cultural exchanges, concerts and performances, storytelling, competitions, sporting days, games and activities.

There are also a heap of activities on the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day website, including downloadable activity sheets on culture and community. So check it all out and start planning your event! If you can’t organize an in-person event, why not consider organizing a social media event!