NAIDOC Week message from the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body
In the spirit of the NAIDOC 2022 theme ‘Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!’, ATSIEB invites Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to engage with members on ideas and concerns for the Canberra community.
ATSIEB was established to enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the ACT to have a strong, democratically-elected voice.
ATSIEB meets regularly with ACT Government officials across the directorates on issues that affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the ACT. It’s important ATSIEB members hear from community on what matters to them.
ATSIEB Chairperson Tanya Keed with members Jo Chivers and Leah House today attended the Woden Community NAIDOC event to yarn with attendees.
‘Great turnout today and good to see community supporting local services through NAIDOC. This was a perfect opportunity for community to come together and yarn and catch up with people,’ said ATSIEB Chairperson Tanya Keed.
‘The consensus message, said to me by many whom I spoke to, was that community have missed these events as this is the way we connect.
‘Lots of children and families were at the event which was very well catered for with free events and cupcake decorating for the kids – a huge success.
‘Many commented that they were glad to see the presence of the Elected Body. Overall the event was positive and enjoyed by all that attended. Special thanks to all the stallholders in attendance. It was a job well done.’
This afternoon was also a chance to join the local community to celebrate its many achievements.
‘Our strength and community spirit has been so important over these past few difficult years of the pandemic,’ Tanya said.
‘It was truly an honour to be able to join the community today to celebrate side by side.
‘This week has been full of pride and excitement for everything we’ve done so far, and where we’re going next. I’d like to extend my personal congratulations to the Canberra and District NAIDOC Award winners, and all community members who have been honoured this week.
‘We’ve achieved so much, but we continue to rally for a better life and a better future for our mob, our Elders and communities.
‘We must all continue to get up, stand up, and show up – and the ATSIEB welcomes all who wish to engage with us and help to strengthen the Canberra Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voice.’
