Aboriginal Children’s Day & The Importance of ‘Dreaming’

By Kerrie Gottliebsen

Aboriginal Children’s Day is a time when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities and all Australians, celebrate the strengths and culture of Aboriginal children. It is an opportunity for us to show our support for 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.

This year’s theme is ‘My Dreaming, My Future’. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are born into stories of their family, culture, and Country. They carry with them the songlines of their ancestors and culture, passed down by generations. Their Dreaming is part of Aboriginal history, while their futures are their own to shape.

This Children’s Day, Aboriginal children are asked to share what Dreaming means to them, learning how they interpret this in their lives and identity, and hearing what their aspirations are for the future. Tweddle are sharing ‘My Dreaming, My Future’ colouring activities with children and families.

The majority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are thriving and growing up strong in their cultures, with support from their families and communities.

However, a significant number of our children continue to face ongoing challenges stemming from colonisation and its effects. This includes discrimination, poverty, systemic removal, intergenerational trauma, dislocation from land and culture, and community disempowerment.

To achieve equality, we must approach these challenges through a holistic approach, considering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children’s wellbeing, safety, and development.

Tweddle is committed to providing safe,  respectful, accessible and inclusive practices and programs in the best interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families for a safe, thriving and strong start to life.

Trauma caused by colonisation and a history of injustice and inequity continues to effect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their access to the health service system.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are over-represented in child protection and out-of- home care services compared to non-Indigenous children. The reasons for this are complex and are connected to past policies and the legacy of colonisation.

Aboriginal babies and children are Australia’s future leaders and elders. It is up to us all to create safety and equality in healthcare and educational settings so that families thrive and intergenerational trauma is stopped in its tracks.

Here, SNAICC (Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care) CEO Catherine Liddle talks about the devastation of the removal of Aboriginal children from their parents and families, what we need to learn about how colonisation has shaped healthcare, education and law, and the importance of ‘dreaming’ to Aboriginal babies, toddlers and children.