UnitingCare Queensland Celebrates 2017 NAIDOC Week

UnitingCare Queensland is proud to support NAIDOC Week and celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

UnitingCare Queensland CEO Anne Cross said the organisation was focused on developing positive relationships with and increasing opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and NAIDOC Week was an opportunity to celebrate the positive steps made in achieving this over the years.

“UnitingCare Queensland has a strong commitment to closing the gap in life expectancy, wellbeing and health between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the rest of the community,” Ms Cross said.

“NAIDOC Week is a time to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and an opportunity to recognise the contributions that Indigenous Australians make to our country and society as a whole.

“The 2017 theme - Our Languages Matter - aims to celebrate the unique and essential role Indigenous languages play in - cultural identity, linking people to their land and water, and in the transmission of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, spirituality and rites, through story and song.

“This year also marks a number of milestones for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including the Anniversary of the 1967 Referendum and the 25th Anniversary of the Mabo decision.

“NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to celebrate our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage, not only for Indigenous communities but for Australians from all walks of life.”

Ms Cross said UnitingCare Queensland provided services to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities across the state.

“Our BlueCare Indigenous Services include four Elders Villages, a Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Unit and a family therapy centre supporting communities from Thursday Island to Cherbourg,” she said.

“We provide foster and kinship care, the Time for Grandparents program, out of home care and have most recently launched NEWPIN, a program to be delivered from 2018 aiming to reunite more than 200 children in out of home care with their parents.

“UnitingCare Queensland employs 1.75 per cent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, with a target to double this through our Reconciliation Action Plan.”

UnitingCare Queensland will hold a number of NAIDOC Week events across the state, including events host city Cairns and also in Brisbane.

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