Photo credit: Michelle Critchley
While the nation reflects on this year’s NAIDOC week theme “50 Years Deadly”, one CFA space became a meaningful place of connection, where the art of weaving, culture and the quiet power of simply sitting together was shared.
NAIDOC Week 2026 is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First People’s cultures and histories by participating in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.
In the spirit of this participation, during the CFA’s recent north east women’s challenge camp, Wiradjuri & Anangu (Pitjantjatjara) woman and CFA Cultural Heritage Advisor, Donna Sherwen, sat around the campfire with members and shared stories of her family and culture, while teaching the women how to weave.
She said it is through casual conversations like this that true learning happens.
“It was quite powerful and a real expression of not just culture but of everyone coming on that journey of understanding,” Donna said.
“Being able to sit there with them and do this activity broke down barriers.
“Doing things like this is one of the best ways to create cultural safety and cultural inclusion.”
The activity embodied this year’s NAIDOC week theme which is a tribute to the people who built this movement.
The Elders who stood firm, the organisers who made space, the artists who turned resistance into expression, and the communities who keep showing up, year after year.
“There is a lot of negativity out there and after 50 years of NAIDOC it is easy to think ‘have we really gotten anywhere’,” Donna said.
“But, to see everyone engaging and smiling, asking questions, and sharing their own stories as well gave me real hope that the next chapter will come.
“It was also a good reminder that we have a lot of people walking with us already.”
Camp organiser Tanya Lumley said she hoped this served as an example that building appreciation of Australian Indigenous culture, and amplifying the voices of our Indigenous people didn’t need to be difficult.
“This was a simple activity to put together, and it was the one that got some of the greatest feedback from our participants,” Tanya said.
“It just goes to show that if you’re given the space for conversation and connection, real bridges can be built.”
CFA CEO, Greg Leach AFSM, said he was proud of the connection CFA had to Indigenous people across the state.
“At CFA, we have the privilege of serving communities with deep and enduring Aboriginal histories. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity to honour those histories,” Greg said.
“This NAIDOC Week, I encourage all CFA members to take a moment to reflect on the resilience of First Peoples, on the lessons we can learn from their leadership and culture, and on the small but meaningful ways each of us can contribute to a more connected and respectful future.”
