Our language matters in NAIDOC Week celebrations
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait languages are not just a means of communication, they express knowledge about everything: law, geography, history, family and human relationships, philosophy, religion, anatomy, childcare, health, caring for country, astronomy, biology and food.” (National NAIDOC Committee Co-Chair Anne Martin)
5 Jul 2017
5 July 2017
During NAIDOC Week, we celebrate the 2017 theme ‘Our languages matter’.
We welcomed Rosalie Kickett, Aboriginal Health and Cultural Worker, who walked us through the many language groups and dialects, particularly those familiar to the surrounding areas of our hospital.
“In my culture, there are many different language groups and our own language connects us to the land we come from,” Rosalie said.
“Where this hospital is located is Noongar Whadjuk land, and we can see the Derbal Yerrigan – what you call the Swan River, outside of these windows.
“We also look at the seasons and see how they influence how my people lived. Aboriginal people live by six seasons, not four. Today’s rainy day is truly ‘Makuru’ – what we call the season of June and July.
“This is the wettest part of the year, where we once moved inland to hunt while the rain filled our water courses.
“I wanted to talk to the group about this connection between land, language, culture and how we learn from each other through communication.
“Being able to be here at St John of God Mt Lawley Hospital and telling the stories from my background will hopefully have some meaning for your day through your role as healers and carers.”
Mario Bugna, Director of Mission at St John of God Mt Lawley Hospital, thanked Rosalie and all caregivers who attended the NAIDOC celebration.
“It is good for us to reflect on the importance of language and how it impacts every aspect of our lives," he said.
“As caregivers, communication is one of the most important things we bring to patients, their families and each other.
“We can influence someone’s experience in one word. As Rosalie says, language impacts our physical, spiritual, emotional and mental wellbeing, and I thank her for sharing her personal experiences of family and her culture on this NAIDOC celebration day.”
Find out more at NAIDOC Week