Communities across Australia gather annually to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of First Nations people. This year NAIDOC Week will be held from 3-10 July and carries the theme Get Up!, Stand Up! Show Up!
UNE Communications spoke to Professor Joe Fraser, Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous, to understand the significance of the theme and learn more about meaningful and respectful engagement.
Q: What does this year’s NAIDOC theme mean to you as an Aboriginal person?
We have a long history of activism in Australia with people resisting multiple issues. The whole ideal of get up, stand up, show up is a continuation of that activism, signalling that it’s not finished. The theme is a reminder that while there has been change and we have made progress it’s easy to step back and think things are better now. It may be true but there’s still a lot of work to be done. We should be conscious of the need to show up. And it should be all of us. We can’t just leave it to those personally engaged in this change or to those for whom it has more meaning. We should all stand up and show up because when people do stand up for their interest in Indigenous issues there is this massive flow on effect.
Q: The NAIDOC Week theme promotes systemic change and reform – if there’s one thing you could change at UNE this year, what would it be?
If we want to effect meaningful change we have to do more to coordinate, encourage, and support leadership and ownership of students’ success throughout the institution. Supporting Indigenous students in their studies is bigger than Oorala and I am keen to foster ownership of Indigenous issues within the structures that control them. That is not to say it’s not currently happening, I believe it is, but the ideal is for it to become business as usual across all organisational structures.
Q: What does UNE do well when it comes to meaningful and respectful engagement with First Nation peoples?
There is a strong focus on Indigenous student success at senior level that encompass more than just the numbers. There is also regular discussion around how to best fulfil our obligation of making sure people are successful.
UNE is also a very inclusive place for different Indigenous community members, students and staff. We work with diverse groups of people across the region. This will increase in importance as we move toward more activity in Tamworth, Taree and Moree. As a regional university we have to focus on multiple areas and places and think about the groups and people in those areas. I’m keen to promote discussion on how we build on our inclusivity, encourage participation, advice and consultation with different groups of people.
Q: How do we, as a university community, move beyond acknowledgement, good intentions and promises?
Recent strong discussion, particularly through online platforms, has revealed some institutions believe their job is done after an Acknowledgement to Country. This symbolic aspect is important as it keeps attention on Indigenous issues but I prefer our approach to be coupled with plans and activities that measure impact and change. For UNE, trying to create that whole of university approach I mentioned earlier is a big step in the right direction. Having our plans in place allows us to coordinate activities around change and provide a roadmap for where we’re going and what we’re doing.
I’ve also been very pleased to see senior members of the institution setting an example and getting involved in the various activities we have rolled out; actively participating in and being a part of what is going on. In our meetings there is strong focus on implementation and progress while bearing in mind that it’s not about activity but about impact and the change. Hopefully at the end of the year we’ll get to evaluate some of our success in key areas we’re interested in.
Q: Any other thoughts on NAIDOC Week or UNE’s flag raising ceremony in celebration of it that you want to share with us?
Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up! – if you’re not comfortable with the first two just show up. The flag raising ceremony is a great way to build networks and meet people. This is the start of a week of celebration, including celebration of a couple of 100 years of active participation and the struggle for inclusion. Australia has a long history of Indigenous social policy that hasn’t been that productive and this a great opportunity to become involved, maybe listen to some of the stories or just have a chat. At worst have a cup of tea in the company of others. I look forward to seeing you on Monday.
UNE will be celebrating NAIDOC Week with a flag raising ceremony on the lawns of Booloominbah on Monday, 4 July at 11am followed by a light lunch at Oorala Aboriginal Centre.