Reflecting on #NAIDOC2022
July 4, 2022
NAIDOC Week 2022 runs this year from 3 - 10 July, a celebration of the culture, histories, resilience and achievements of Australia's First Peoples. We asked First and Second Peoples across the Uniting Church to reflect on this year's theme, 'Get Up. Stand Up. Show Up'. See how they answered below.
The theme of this NAIDOC Week reminds us of the call of God upon our lives. It is an invitation to reflect on the journey we have been on.
The colonisation of this country disempowered and took away all that we were as human, as First Nations people, created in the image of God. This week we recall those who were not afraid to be brave, to stand up to injustice.
We are reminded of where the path of following God takes us. We are reminded of the relationships God has given to us and the sense of justice that emanates from this Church.
God is calling us to get involved. To stand up and be brave. To stand up and be counted.
Uncle Rev Mark Kickett, Noongar man on the lands of the Kaurna people, Interim National Chair of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress
And so walking in the footprints of warriors past We too are given the strength for perseverance
To lean into the truth-telling and justice race
We are called to know
We are called to get up, stand up and show up
for justice
Alison Overeem, Advocate Walking Together as First and Second Peoples Circle, on lands of the Muwinina people
Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!
These words are a call to action. They call for more than words, statements, and empty rhetoric.
The Church in Australia must move forward from its foundations in colonial theology and Eurocentric attitudes of assumed cultural superiority, continue to acknowledge its past failings in the treatment of First Peoples, and must take real and tangible steps to address the systemic marginalisation and mistreatment of First Peoples, both in the Church and in wider society.
Hear our voices. Acknowledge our truth. Accept that just reparations are a part of genuine reconciliation.
Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!
Nathan Tyson, Panel Member Walking Together as First and Second Peoples Circle, on the lands of the Dharug people
This year’s NAIDOC theme is a call to amplify all our voices as the First Peoples of this country, young and old, to bring change and to come together as one nation. This week is an opportunity to celebrate and embrace the oldest living culture on the planet, to celebrate and acknowledge the achievements of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and to reflect on our spiritual journey. We must continue the momentum in the fight for change. We all must Get Up Stand Up and Show Up!
Kelly Rambaldini Pulevaka, proud Bundjalung Woman, Carlton-Ramsgate Uniting Church, on the lands of the Gadigal/Bidjigal people of the Eora Nation
All gains made by First Nations People in this land we now call Australia have happened because of fierce Indigenous leadership, organisation, activism and resistance. I long for the day when they no longer have to do this because they have achieved all they long for. This will require Second Peoples to get up, stand up and show up, not to take over but to be supportive allies of First Nations Peoples.
Rev Sharon Hollis, President of the Uniting Church in Australia, on the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation
This year’s NAIDOC theme, Get Up, Stand Up, Show Up, reminds me and challenges me that justice for First Nations People and really walking together as First and Second Peoples starts with me.
Am I willing to Get up, Stand Up and Show up to meet with, listen and learn from First Peoples and to join with them in advocating for justice?
Rob Floyd, Assembly Associate General Secretary, on the lands of the Cammeraygal people of the Eora Nation
This NAIDOC week I’ll be reflecting on what it means to Show Up and be part of the call for a Voice to Parliament. I encourage everyone to reflect on the Uluru Statement and learn more about how we can walk together as First and Second Peoples toward true justice for First Peoples. We must all Show Up. loud and proud, and throw our full support behind a Voice to Parliament – the time is now.
Claerwen Little, UnitingCare National Director, on the lands of the Dharawal people
The theme 'Get Up. Stand Up. Show Up,' to me is a call to action and solidarity with First Peoples who are leading the way for a more truthful and just nation. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are consistently offering Second Peoples a beautiful vision of justice and harmony, with more grace than is commonly offered back. This NAIDOC week I recommit myself to listening to, learning from and deepening my relationship with the First Peoples of this land; supporting the Uluru Statement from the Heart and showing up for voice, treaty and truth.
Dr Sureka Goringe, National Director of UnitingWorld, on the lands of the Darramuragal people.
Frontier Services is showing up for First Nations people and standing alongside them in the furthest reaches of our nation. This NAIDOC Week we affirm our commitment to walk alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and seek change together.
Jannine Jackson, Frontier Services National Director, on the lands of the Darug people
Creator Spirit calls us and to be woken with truth, to arise, get up and connect with each other, First and Second Peoples together.
To stand up, side by side as kin, walking together for justice, showing up in the corridors of power and in the marketplace.
Rev Jennie Gordon, Panel Member, Walking Together as First and Second Peoples Circle
In Christ, the Liberator and Giver of Peace, let us each other get up from where we live our faith. Then stand up and to be counted that our hearts are called to act for justice and responsibility no matter how it looks like. We show up with confidence because this Land is given to the First Peoples and allows us to live today and sustain Christ’s love for tomorrow.
연승재 Seung Jae Yeon, Panel Member Walking Together as First and Second Peoples Circle, on on the land and water of Wallumettagal People of the Eora Nation
This year’s theme of 'Get Up, Stand Up, Show Up' is about the future changes we still need in Australia, and celebrating the hard work done to advance human rights, land rights and social reforms. The nature of change needed moving forward is already known to us, it’s been spelled out in the Uluru Statement from the heart: Voice.Treaty.Truth. These three words tell us Second Peoples what we need to Get Up for, Stand Up for, and Show Up for alongside our Aboriginal and Torres Strait brothers and sisters, and brotherboys and sistergirls.
Timothy Molineux, Panel Member Walking Together as First and Second Peoples Circle, on the lands of the Wurundjeri people
The theme invites us to deepen our solidarity with the First Peoples of this nation through our advocacy for the Uluru Statement from the Heart. “Standing up” calls us to strengthen our actions for justice, and truth telling. “Showing up” calls those of us who are Second Peoples to listen deeply to First Peoples, their stories, their connection to culture and land and their calls for justice. It invites us to be with one another, in friendship and solidarity. Jesus calls into the light of a new shared community, based on justice, love and mutual respect for one another.
Dr Deidre Palmer, Ex-President of the Uniting Church in Australia, on the lands of the Kaurna people
For me, as a Second Person, this years theme challenges me to keeping standing up against racism and continuing discrimination, and to show up and listen to First Peoples and walk in solidarity.
Rev Chris Budden, on the lands of the Awabakal people