The difference a shirt can make...
The other day I picked up my daughter from kindergarten and ran into a new educator there who I hadn’t met before. Although I was in the usual pick up rush, I did actually notice this teacher, because she was wearing a beautiful NAIDOC shirt which featured Indigenous artwork on it. Anyhow, after introducing ourselves, the educator took a minute to tell me a little story about a moment she had with my daughter earlier that day.
The educator had been face painting Australian animals on the children’s faces in my daughter’s class, and my daughter, after noticing the shirt that this educator was wearing, proceeded to ask her if she could have Aboriginal dot paintings on her face instead of an animal. Incidentally, the teacher said she couldn't paint dots on her face because she herself isn't Indigenous, but I guess the point for me was that if this teacher hadn't been wearing that shirt, my usually shy 4 year old wouldn't have asked this… and a conversation around Aboriginal artwork wouldn’t have arisen…
This brief conversation got me thinking about the difference that something as seemingly small as a shirt design, can have in creating a culturally safe environment. Educators have a responsibility to foster an inclusive learning environment where children and their families, feel culturally safe and respected. When an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander family enters your service, what would their first impressions be?
There are many easy things that you as a service can do, to help create a space where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families feel welcomed and secure in knowing that this space is one which celebrates diversity and our cultures. These could include:
Ensuring the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags are proudly represented alongside the Australian flag in your reception area.
Ensuring a written Acknowledgment to Country is visually present and easily seen. Kinya Lerrk is an Indigenous business which have some beautiful indoor and outdoor Acknowledgement of Country plaques.
Hanging Aboriginal posters or displays throughout your rooms. An Indigenous art birthday classroom calendar is a great, creative way to do this.
Having staff wear clothing which features authentic Indigenous artwork, designs, or phrases, not just at special times of year like NAIDOC or Reconciliation Week, but regularly throughout the terms.
Simple steps like this can make a huge difference in the eyes of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child in your care.
Here is a list of a few Indigenous owned clothing companies you can purchase from:
Gorgeous tshirt from Nativoji, which is a busines run by Mode Black, a small, majority-owned and operated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communication and consulting business. Nativoji was created as a way to promote and share Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander content online.