National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day is celebrated every year on 4 August. It’s an opportunity for all Australians to show their support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and learn about the impact that culture, family and community has on their lives.
This year’s theme is Little Footsteps, Big Future. The theme honours the journeys children take as they grow – each step is guided by culture, community and connection to country.
Each year to celebrate Children’s Day, we work with our partners in Aboriginal education, the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Incorporated (VAEAI) to develop and distribute a resource kit to more than 3,000 Victorian government-funded kindergartens.
This year, the kit will focus on the importance of Acknowledgements of Country and Traditional Owners. It will include companion teaching notes with fun ideas and activities for educators to use with children. Each activity is aligned with the learning and development outcomes of the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework. The resources will help to embed Aboriginal perspectives in learning and enact the vision of the Marrung Aboriginal Education Plan 2016-2026. Kindergartens will receive the resource by mail in time for Children’s Day.
About Children’s Day
Children’s Day is an initiative of the Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care. The day is held to celebrate the strengths and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children across Australia.
It began in 1988 amid protests during Australia’s bicentennial year. The day was chosen to communally celebrate the birthdays of children of the Stolen Generations, who were taken from their families at a young age without knowing their birthdays.
As Victorians, the journey of truth-telling through the Yoorrook Justice Commission provides an opportunity to reflect on the stories and experiences of the Stolen Generations and the important role that education plays in healing and moving forward.
Supporting cultural safety
To help you enact the vision of Marrung in your services, you can use these resources to support Koorie children and families or consider developing your own Reconciliation Action Plan.
You can also learn more about self-determination in the broader education system by reading Strengthening Aboriginal Self-Determination in Education - Campfire Conversations: reflections and directions 2022–23.
Find out more
For more information, refer to:
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