Young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people celebrate culture during NAIDOC Week

headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation will celebrate NAIDOC Week by sharing the stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people to honour their history, culture and achievements.

This year’s theme, ‘Voice, Treaty, Truth’ seeks to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s unique place in Australian history and society today. For generations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have looked for significant and lasting change. NAIDOC Week encourages all Australians to join in on the journey to finish the unfinished business of the country.

The stories, captured on film and published this week on the headspace website and Facebook page, highlight what NAIDOC means to three young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and aim to spark an important conversation about what the celebration means to young people – both indigenous and non-indigenous.

Bianca, a proud Yawaru and Karajarri woman and newly appointed headspace National Youth Reference Group member said culture and identity are so much more than words to her, it’s about knowing her lore, culture, song lines, and connectedness to country.

“We’re all on different journeys, and some of us are lucky to be immersed in our culture fully and some of us are on our journey to establish and reconnect to our culture,” she said.

Maddy, a proud Torres Strait Islander woman and fellow newly appointed headspace National Youth Reference Group member is one of those young people still seeking knowledge of her culture.

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