NAIDOC week 2024’s theme 'Keep the fire burning: Loud, Blak and Proud!' reminds us that no matter what, we must not give up or disengage from the need to continue the fight for justice and the rights of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Our Policy and Advocacy Team works hard, alongside our members to challenge the causes of human injustice, in particular, advocating for First Nations Justice and the need for reconciliation, recognition and respect. We will continue to keep the fire burning through our advocacy for the Uluru Statement of the Heart, and the important call for treaty, truth-telling and voice; the #RaiseTheAge NSW campaign to raise the age of criminal responsibility from 10 years to 14 years, to reduce the rate of First Nations children and youth in the criminal justice system; and working with First Nations communities, including to alleviate energy poverty.

This year, our Vinnies NSW Board members took part in a NAIDOC activity together where a celebration of all things deadly about our First Nations brothers and sisters was discussed. Our board members each chose a hand-shaped cutout and upon reflection, wrote down one thing that they appreciate, or think is super deadly about our First Nations culture! Some things observed mention, Deadly music, Care for Country, Kinship and Importance of family. 

This NAIDOC week, we urge you to pause and reflect with us, on the many great things we have to celebrate about the oldest surviving culture in the world!