Room 17 – NAIDOC Week

The Year 3’s of Room 17 designed their own NAIDOC Week posters and wrote about what the NAIDOC theme, ‘Heal Country’ means to them.

Cleve wrote:– “‘Heal Country’, to me, means that all other Australians need to understand and respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their history. Their culture is very important.”

Adele wrote:–  “I think ‘heal country’ means listening and learning about Aboriginal culture and the history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.”

Miller wrote, “I think that the slogan, ‘Heal Country’ is about respecting the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and planting trees and plants to regrow. To me, ‘Heal Country’ means to regrow plants for more oxygen and more life. Everyone needs to be included in healing country. If you destroy more nature, wildlife won’t survive. Don’t litter. Littering is a crime! Don’t pollute the water. Don’t forget to recycle your rubbish. This will all help the country.”

Blake said, “This is my ‘Heal Country’ NAIDOC Week poster, (above). To me, ‘Heal Country’ means fixing the country, respecting people and their interests, respecting various cultures like Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and looking after the environment.  I painted a tree to symbolise life.  The trunk of the tree is in the shape of a hand because people can help to plant trees and heal the country.  The tree leaves are painted red, yellow and black because they are the colours of the Aboriginal flag.”

Chloe S wrote:–  “What ‘Heal Country’ means to me is healing the environment and planting trees, so we can  make this better place for humans and animals to live.  That is why I have flowers and a tree in my picture.  ‘Heal Country’ also means to bring people together and to celebrate their culture and the languages that they speak.  It’s like when you see every person from every culture holding hands around the country.  Maybe, have a big dance where everyone from the north to the south to the east, to the west is invited.  No matter where you are from, you are welcome at that dance.  ‘Heal Country’ also might mean doing the best for your friends and family – maybe giving them a hug or whatever they appreciate – and a pat or a treat for your pet.  That’s what ‘Heal Country’ means to me.”

Jocelyn wrote:–  “NAIDOC Week is where we celebrate the history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.  ‘Heal Country’ means coming together to take care of the land, ocean and water and the First Nation people’s land, sacred sites, cultures and languages.”

Kye said, “‘Heal Country’ is important to me because it is part of a special ceremony for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. ‘Heal Country’, to me, is really important because we need trees to breathe and they’re good for the environment.  Plants are good to eat, to give you more strength.”