INDIGENOUS EDUCATION
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School Emerald acknowledges the Western Kangoulu People as the Traditional Custodians of the land that our school is built upon and where we learn, play, and grow. We extend our respect to the Kairi and The Wangan People. We also pay our respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People across Australia as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waterways, and skies. We acknowledge and pay our respect to their Elders past, present and future, and we honour them for their continuation of cultural, spiritual, and educational practices.
2024 DATES
National Sorry Day - May 26th
May 26 is National Sorry Day. This is a day of great importance to all Australians as it acknowledges the challenges facing the Stolen Generations. The first official Sorry Day took place on 26 May 1998 to pay respect to those Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People who were forcibly removed from their homes and families as babies and children. It has continued since then to be day of remembering and acknowledging the impact the actions of the government had on the Stolen Generations. Sorry Day should be a time for reflection by acknowledging the past and celebrating the resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and cultures. This day provides us with an opportunity to build understanding around a very sad time in our country’s shared history and explore how relationships between all Australian’s can be strengthened through Reconciliation. Please keep eye out for how we plan to acknowledge National Sorry Day at St Patrick’s School.
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Reconciliation Week - 27th of May - 3rd of June
Reconciliation Week, 27 May to 3 June, is a week devoted to ensuring reconciliation lives in the hearts, minds, and actions of all Australians. Strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. Reconciliation Week is a time to remember that we all have a role to play in building relationships and communities that value everyone, their histories, their cultures, and their futures.
NAIDOC Week - 7th-14th of July
NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee and is a week dedicated to the celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s, cultures, and achievements. This year’s NAIDOC theme is ‘Keep the fire burning! Blak, loud and proud’, which honours the strength, endurance, and vitality of First Nation’s culture, unity and pride that has continued to be passed down through generations. Keeping the flame burning acknowledges and preserves the sharing and the enrichment of cultural heritage in our nation. Please keep an eye out for how we plan to acknowledge NAIDOC Week at St Patrick’s School.
Meet Lia Creedon
My name is Lia Creedon and Iam the Regional Indigenous Education Liaison Officer for St Brigid’s, St Patrick’s, St Joseph’s Clermont and Sacred Heart Springsure.
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I aim to support students and their families culturally, academically and pastorally, as well as share Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and spiritualities with the whole school community.
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I am from Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) in Moreton Bay near Brisbane and have been living in Emerald for 13 years with my husband and family. We think Emerald is a great town to live in!
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I am very excited to be taking on this role and honored to be sharing my culture with you all. I look forward to meeting you as the term progresses, please say hi if you see me around the school.
Get in Touch
With our Regional Indigenous Education Liaison Officer
Mrs Lia Creedon