Baptist

NAIDOC Week – What’s your Church Doing or Learning?

At the very least this NAIDOC week, why not help your church better understand more about our indigenous brothers and sisters and the importance of a Name? 

Sacred Ground: Names and Places

(from Reconciliation Australia Newsletter)

A NAIDOC theme is ‘We all Stand on Sacred Ground.’ It highlights the connections Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have to country. Across the world, the names we give a place can represent history, culture and identity. 

To celebrate the NAIDOC theme, we’re reflecting on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander place names that have been part of Australia for thousands of years, and asking ‘what’s in a name?’

Did you know? 

The name ‘Canberra’ came from a local Aboriginal name for the area. It was first recorded as ‘Kamberra’ or ‘Kambery’, and then named Canberra in 1913 when it became the capital. 

Tasmania has dual named a number of natural features like kanamaluka / River Tamar and truwana / Cape Barren Island. 

Since 1992 naming authorities have been encouraged by governments to use Aboriginal place names to acknowledge their importance. 

Bennelong Point, the site of Sydney Opera House was known as ‘Dubbagullee’ by local Aboriginal people. 

In the 1970s the Yolngu people responded to the arrival of English road signs by stating “This place already has a name”.

Take action 

Learn some of the stories and traditional names of the sacred ground you live on. 

Find out the meaning of dual named places in your area and their significance. 

Contact your local council to see what their policy is on dual names. 

Find out if there are any dual naming movements happening in your area. 

Campaign for the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander names of significant landmarks in your community to be recognised. 

Participate in the annual NAIDOC week activities around the country. 

Reconciliation Australia would like to thank the Intergovernmental Committee on Surveying and Mapping for their assistance in developing this factsheet.

 

How can we as Baptist in habitants of the places we live, worship and work, be more aware of the historical, social and cultural significance of names?

 

 

Committee of Geographical Names Australasia (CGNA) http://www.icsm.gov.au/cgna/ 

Source: BUV News