It is not often we find ourselves surrounded by nature on a workday, with the first coloured leaves of autumn falling at our feet and the smell of eucalyptus in the air.
But earlier in April, on a sunny and crisp Friday morning, team members from Anglicare and other local community service organisations gathered at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve for a smoking ceremony, yarning circle, and walk on Country.
Anglicare is the lead organisation planning Canberra’s 50th Community NAIDOC Week event, and the day offered a meaningful opportunity to connect with culture and deepen our understanding. Our guide was fellow committee member Tiana House from Karralika Programs, who generously shared traditional knowledge of land her ancestors have cared for over tens of thousands of years.
As Tiana gently stoked a kindling of dried leaves and spinifex, she explained that cultural burning was intentionally slow and kept low to the ground. The process created smoke that allowed insects and wildlife time to seek shelter high in the canopy.
“We were the original fire masters,” Tiana said. “Fire was survival. Fire was everything.”
During the walk, Tiana pointed out native plants used as bush tucker and herbal medicine. She showed us the bandaid bush, whose sticky leaves have natural antiseptic properties, along with plants that could provide hydration and nutrition. The depth of Tiana’s knowledge was remarkable, making it sobering to hear that an estimated 90 per cent of traditional knowledge from this region is unrecorded.
“We are working with just 10 per cent,” she said. “But our language is coming back.”
For community services organisations, listening before leading is essential. Meeting people where they are, treating them with dignity, and communicating respectfully are at the heart of our work. Participating in NAIDOC events is part of this ongoing process. Days like the one at Tidbinbilla extend our understanding and help us become part of the bridge that rebuilds pride and respect in a culture that has endured profound trauma.
Tiana explained that in many traditional languages of this land, there were no words for mental health or suicide. Culture provided belonging—embracing people from birth to death. The confronting mental health statistics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today reflect the loss of that belonging.
At Anglicare we want to do our part to help build communities that are inclusive, welcoming, and grounded in connection—where everyone feels they belong.
The Canberra Community Services NAIDOC event will be held on Tuesday 7 July at Tuggeranong Community Centre from 10-3 . We encourage all who are able to attend to celebrate the culture of this land, learn from the knowledge that remains, and strengthen connection and inclusion across our community.
For details:
Visit the Canberra Community NAIDOC website: www.canberranaidoc.org
Or follow Canberra Community NAIDOC Week Event on Facebook.
