National Aboriginal and Islander Children’s Day (NAICD) is fast approaching and the Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) and NACCHO are seeking your help to promote the event within your organisation and through your networks, publications and websites.

We are also hoping that your organisation will show support by issuing a media release, promoting the day through social media and/or holding an event on the day. The event could be something as informal as a morning tea for staff or the launch of a report or resource concerning Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

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What is National Aboriginal and Islander Children’s Day?

NAICD is held on 4 August each year to celebrate the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children within family and community.

First held in 1988, the day has also been used over the years to increase awareness on important issues impacting on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

In 2013, NAICD is all about stepping up for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children’s rights.

This year’s theme is Right Here, Right Now. Our Rights Matter.

It seeks to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children by increasing public awareness about:

• major human rights concerns that impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children across the country; and
• the unique rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children as First Peoples of this country.

The theme also aims to support local events to celebrate children, assist better  understanding about what their rights mean and how communities can work better to ensure that all children have the opportunity to live these rights every day.

SNAICC wants to work with communities and organisations — Indigenous and non-Indigenous — to make sure this year’s children’s day is the biggest and most successful yet.

We hope the day will provide the opportunity for Australians to come together to discuss issues critical issues impacting our children and work together to improve mutual understanding and to see change happen.

As in previous years, SNAICC will hold a national launch (in 2013 it will be in Melbourne) and assist organisations across Australia to hold local events celebrating the day.

SNAICC has once again developed a range of resources for children and adults to help with celebrations. These include:

• a glossy National Aboriginal and Islander Children’s Day poster (see attached PDF)

• a series of seven beautifully-illustrated posters on child rights and a children’s activity book to accompany the poster

• an educator’s guide on facilitating child rights workshops with children, and

• children’s day goodies bag (including stickers, arm bands, pencils and more).

These resources will be available from June for purchase at low cost, with one set also provided free to SNAICC members.

SNAICC would really appreciate any support, assistance and expertise you can provide to help promote this important event.

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For more information on NAICD, please go to the SNAICC website: www.snaicc.org.au

You can also contact us (0419) 508 125 or Nick Butera, SNAICC Resource Officer, on (03) 9489 8099.