Page 1688 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 3 June 2014
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show our awareness of and respect for the traditional custodians of the land on which we are meeting, recognising their continuing connection to their country. We can ask the traditional custodians to give a welcome to country to welcome us to their traditional land. We need to do this and more to recognise the culture that is here in Australia, which has been here for at least 20,000 years.
We have words buried in our Native Title Act 1994, words that have meaning to reconciliation, words that should be brought to the forefront. They are:
Before European settlement, land in Australia had been occupied, used and enjoyed since time immemorial by Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders in accordance with their traditions.
Land is of spiritual, social, historical, cultural and economic importance to Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders. In the Australian Capital Territory, there are sites that provide evidence of their use by various groups of Aboriginal peoples at different times for a variety of purposes.
We plan to use words to this effect in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander agreement which I spoke of to the Assembly earlier this year. It is with recognition and reconciliation in mind that we look towards the upcoming NAIDOC Week, the theme of which for 2014 is, “Serving country—centenary and beyond”. This theme recognises the past and ongoing roles of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women in the defence of Australia and defining our shared cultural identity. It reminds us that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander story is integral to the history of Australia and that it cannot be ignored.
A number of important events will acknowledge the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people during this year’s NAIDOC Week, including the NAIDOC Week flag raising ceremony, which will be held on Monday, 7 July 2014. This year’s flag raising ceremony will recognise the important contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service men and women. There is the NAIDOC Week family day at Acton Peninsula, a real highlight of the calendar, with a range of activities and stalls. I certainly enjoyed my time there last year and encourage all members to put Sunday, 6 July 2014 from 10.30 am in their diaries.
Also, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body will be holding its next election between 5 and 12 July. I would like to again thank them for their ongoing contribution in advising me and other ministers and advocating for local community issues. The ACT government recognises the important role the elected body plays in representing the views and advocating for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in the territory, and I look forward to my continued relationship with both current and future members.
I look forward to attending these events as well as the many other community events that will be held over NAIDOC Week and learning more about our shared history and the valuable contribution Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have made and continue to make to shape our national identity.
I present the following paper:
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