A HISTORY STRETCHING BACK 65,000 YEARS

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures are complex and diverse. The Indigenous cultures of Australia are the oldest living cultural history in the world – they go back at least 65,000 years. Indigenous communities keep their cultural heritage alive by passing their knowledge, arts, ceremonies and performances from one generation to another, speaking and teaching languages, protecting cultural materials, sacred and significant sites, and objects. For Indigenous Australians, the land is the core of all spirituality and this relationship and the spirit of ‘Country’ is central to the issues that are important to Indigenous people today.”

– Ngunnawal Elder, Tina Brown

Celebrating Culture

Combining Hockey and Culture to strengthen community

Aspire to be Deadly appreciates how important culture is to the well being and good health of indigenous peoples and through Cairns Hockey has sought to implement a positive and pro-active approach of increasing awareness of the indigenous culture with our partners and supporters.

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Celebrating Indigenous Culture

www.pmc.gov.au

Hockey Art

Hockey Art plays a role of sharing culture across regions, communities, and supporters. Artwork is now undertaken by participants, incorporated into design and graphics, and embraced by clubs and community highlighting the emerging recognition of the importance of culture.

In 2021, Hockey Art is being expanded to include goalkeeping equipment, uniforms, murals around the facility. Local club uniforms have been especially designed for Indigenous Round 2021 and uniforms for our Empower Me Programs now have local indigenous stories woven into the Live Well, Learn Well, Lead Well themes.

Reconciliation Week

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

The dates for NRW remain the same each year; 27 May to 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.

Aspire seeks to encourage reconciliation to live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

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National Recinciliation Week

www.reconciliation.com.au

Naidoc Week

NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life. The week is a great opportunity to participate in a range of activities and to support your local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

Aspire to be Deadly looks to collaborate with community events and be part of the local celebrations.

Cairns Hockey delivers its Deadly 5’s Carnival – a celebration of culture, skills and friendship in support of NAIDOC week. Schools look to identify young leaders to drive the teams participating and link cultural celebration, learning local history, discussions on how to heal country, and embrace each other in friendship and understanding. For more information on Deadly 5’s.

Cairns Hockey also delivers Rene Archer Indigenous Round during NAIDOC. This round started in 2021 and clubs embrace the celebration of culture through a weekend event.

More information on Indigenous Round