This year’s NAIDOC theme has raised many issues and memories that are still relevant to this day.

For Our Elders who are our parents and grandparents that fought in the past. This was not long ago, and we are still told by them that it is still hard for them to talk about.

The struggles of fighting for citizenship while hiding their children that was light skin to prevent them from being taken away as part of the government’s cruel policies of removing children from their parents. 

Many of our Elders are still hurt and suffer the effects of stolen generation because many people’s connections and Culture were lost.

This year we would like to take this time to recognise Our Elders from the past and present and for all their struggles that they have endured. If it wasn’t for their hardships and endurance, we would not be here today.

This year I was blessed, I mean so blessed to be working at IBN to shape and educate IBN of our Culture, knowledge, and family connections. We are all connected either from marriage or family which our children can be from one or more of the three language groups that make up IBN. It’s been rewarding to be a member working at IBN. 

Our children can be from one or more of the three language groups that make up IBN. It’s been rewarding to be a member working at IBN. 

IBN has acknowledged our elders with a personal gift! in line with this year’s NAIDOC theme.

This gift is a small token of respect, appreciation and recognition for the struggles endured by our Yinhawangka, Banyjima and Nyiyaparli Elders.

More information will be sent closer to the delivery date of these gifts.

For Our Elders, Our families and Community, have a wonderful NAIDOC celebration.

Written by Drusilla Dhu on behalf of the IBN Team