NAIDOC Week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This year’s theme, ‘Always Was, Always Will Be’, recognises that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years. It speaks to First Nations peoples’ deep and lasting connection to country, and their legacy as the first explorers, artists, engineers and healers.
\n","seoTitle":"‘Always Was, Always Will Be’ – Resilience and strength in the face of 2020","seoDescription":"NAIDOC Week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This year’s theme, ‘Always Was, Always Will Be’, recognises that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years. It speaks to First Nations peoples’ deep and lasting connection to country, and their legacy as the first explorers, artists, engineers and healers.","seoImage":{"sourceRemote":"https://cms.humanrights.vic.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/IMG-news-naidoc2020-SEO.jpg","sourceLocal":{"childImageSharp":{"gatsbyImageData":{"layout":"fixed","backgroundColor":"#e8e8e8","images":{"fallback":{"src":"/static/d2cd7723e8e2b3a43a79821970af775a/fcb2f/IMG-news-naidoc2020-SEO.jpg","srcSet":"/static/d2cd7723e8e2b3a43a79821970af775a/fcb2f/IMG-news-naidoc2020-SEO.jpg 1200w","sizes":"1200px"},"sources":[{"srcSet":"/static/d2cd7723e8e2b3a43a79821970af775a/81547/IMG-news-naidoc2020-SEO.webp 1200w","type":"image/webp","sizes":"1200px"}]},"width":1200,"height":630}}}},"image":null,"buttonLink":null,"buttonColour":"default"},"appBreadcrumb":[{"title":"Home","link":"/"}],"acfTableOfContents":{"tableOfContents":null},"acfBodyContent":{"bodyContent":[{"__typename":"WPGraphQL_NewsAndEvent_Acfbodycontent_BodyContent_Wysiwyg","contentHeading":null,"content":"12 November 2020
\nThis year, as the world has grappled with a lethal global pandemic, the enduring strength, ingenuity and resilience of First Nations peoples has been central to the success Aboriginal Victorians have achieved in facing the threat of COVID-19 and preventing it from spreading within their communities.
\nAs COVID-19 proliferated throughout our state, it highlighted – and, in many cases, exacerbated – existing inequalities, creating particular vulnerabilities for some as a result of limited access to healthcare, socio-economic status and other life circumstances. Grave concerns existed for a number of population groups, including older Victorians, members of multicultural and multifaith communities, and Aboriginal Victorians. Despite these inequalities, Aboriginal communities across Australia and in Victoria are responsible for leading a highly effective and successful response to COVID-19. Epidemiologist Dr Fiona Stanley recently stated that ‘our First Nations response to this pandemic has been extraordinary’.[1]
\nIn Victoria, the principles of cultural rights and self-determination have been central building blocks for this response. Victoria’s Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities recognises the cultural rights of Aboriginal Victorians and requires public authorities to consider these rights when making decisions concerning Aboriginal Victorians. Cultural rights recognise the right of Aboriginal Victorians to enjoy their identity and culture, to maintain and use their language, and maintain their kinship ties to members of their community, as well as connection to land.
\nIn combating COVID-19, Aboriginal-controlled community organisations have been empowered to deliver community-led initiatives to respond to the impact of the virus. From providing outreach services, communicating public health information and providing COVID-19 testing, Aboriginal community-led initiatives have been critical to protecting Aboriginal Victorians.[2] Many of these organisations have been in operation for over 50 years and have deep links with their communities.[3] Because of this, these organisations are uniquely positioned, with expertise and knowledge to provide tailored and culturally appropriate health services for their communities.
\nThis is the same expertise and knowledge that is encapsulated this NAIDOC Week in ‘Always Was, Always Will Be’. It recognises the ingenuity and understanding that is drawn from a deep connection to 65,000 years of history, knowledge and experience. By respecting and elevating this knowledge and experience through a community-led response, Aboriginal health has been protected through Aboriginal rights.
\nCrisis itself often acts as a catalyst for change – the ways in which we are pushed to adapt and persist allow for us to reassess our ingrained perspectives. As we move into ‘COVID normal’, government and the public sector now have an opportunity to reassess and develop our approach to working with Aboriginal communities. What we’ve seen is very clear – when Aboriginal Victorians are empowered to lead their communities and respond to challenges on their own terms, successful outcomes are achieved.
\nWhile COVID-19 has highlighted existing and entrenched inequalities for Aboriginal Victorians, it has also underscored the fundamental way to respond and achieve progress – by placing control in the hands of Aboriginal communities. As we move forward, the Commission will put this into action by continuing to advocate for and advance cultural rights while promoting and adhering to the principle of self-determination in our work.
\nThis NAIDOC Week, we reflect on the strength, resilience and knowledge of all First Nations peoples. In doing so, we encourage all non-Indigenous Australians to use this unique time of change to consider how we can all elevate the voices of First Nations people into substantive action, by supporting First Nations communities to achieve self-determination.
\n[1] Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Dr. Fiona Stanley on How COIVD-19 is Changing Australia (3 November 2020) <https://www.abc.net.au/7.30/dr-fiona-stanley-on-how-covid-19-is-changing/12845460>.
\n[2] Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, Submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry into the Victorian Government’s Response to COVID-19 (Submission, 14 August 2020) 5.<https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/images/stories/committees/paec/COVID-19_Inquiry/Submissions/77._Victorian_Aboriginal_Community_Controlled_Health_Organisation.pdf>.
\n[3] Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, Submission to the Parliamentary Inquiry into the Victorian Government’s Response to COVID-19 (Submission, 14 August 2020) 5.<https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/images/stories/committees/paec/COVID-19_Inquiry/Submissions/77._Victorian_Aboriginal_Community_Controlled_Health_Organisation.pdf>.
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