Come and yarn with Red Dust as we celebrate NAIDOC Week 2025.

Our free, 60-minute yarn will be a panel discussion about the theme of NAIDOC Week 2025 - The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy.

Our discussion invites all to listen, learn, and engage in meaningful dialogue about reclaiming narratives, amplifying voices and committing to justice and equality for all.

When is the yarn?

Friday 4th July, via Teams.

How much is the yarn?

Our public yarn is free to attend. Optional Tax Deductible Donation.

Event Details:

NAIDOC Week is an opportunity to reflect on the strength, vision, and legacy of First Australians. This year's theme encourages us to recognise the resilience and spirit of Indigenous communities while acknowledging their ongoing fight for recognition, rights and justice - the work that is being done and the work that is to come.

In our NAIDOC Yarn we will explore the following:

1. Shifting the Narrative: Igniting Change

As Australia grapples with its past, we often hear the refrain, “we can’t do anything about that.” But what if we shifted our focus? What if we explored how historical legacies can empower us to forge a different future?

This workshop aims to challenge that narrative. We’ll focus on the ways we can empower individuals and communities to take actionable steps toward a better future. By discussing contemporary examples of strength and vision, we can inspire dialogue and ignite the power within people to create change.

2. Self Determination

Self-determination emerges as a critical aspect of the narrative of change. How do we empower the next generation to lead? Education and economic opportunity are fundamental components. By providing access to quality education and fostering economic independence, we can help create a future where Indigenous voices are not only heard but are at the forefront of decision-making processes. This should not come at the expense of culture. The integrity of culture plays a significant role in effective agency, as community-led visions pave the way for sustainable progress.

3. The Urgency of Now

The challenges facing First Nations people in Australia are pressing. Recent events (examples?) have underscored the urgent need for action. As we look to the future, we must ask ourselves: what will happen if we remain silent? What does the future hold for the next generation of Indigenous Australians if their voices continue to be marginalized?

As we contemplate the future, we must ask ourselves what kind of future we envision. Justice and equity are essential elements of this vision, but they cannot be measured solely by metrics like Closing the Gaps. True reconciliation requires a commitment to understanding, acknowledging past injustices, and working collaboratively towards a shared future where all Australians can thrive.

4. Understanding Legacy: More Than Just History

Legacy isn’t merely about recounting historical truths; it’s about recognizing how the past is woven into our current fabric. It’s about acknowledging intergenerational trauma while also celebrating the foundations laid by figures like William Cooper, an Indigenous activist whose work laid the groundwork for modern advocacy. His legacy reminds us that while history is important, it is also crucial to see how it connects to our present struggles and triumphs.

5. Contemporary Experiences Matter

It’s essential to recognize that First Nations Australians have a profound and multifaceted role in shaping this nation today. You are in our schools, workplaces, families, governments, media, arts, medicine, science, law, universities, and institutions. This is the ongoing legacy, for all Australians, of the vital role that Indigenous Australians have always had in the development of Australia.

6. A Call to Action for Non-Indigenous Allies

We believe that everyone has a role to play in this conversation. How can non-Indigenous people support their Indigenous counterparts in spaces where silence has become too comfortable? What can we learn by paying attention to the voices and actions of people and communities today.