What is SNAICC?
SNAICC stands for – Secretariat of National Aboriginal & Islander Child Care. SNAICC is the National Voice for First Nations and Torres Strait Islander Children and established in 1981 after the creation was proposed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at the ‘First Aboriginal Child Survival Seminar’ held in Melbourne in 1979.
SNAICC has an advanced membership base of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-based childcare agencies and a network of subscribers of over 10,000 organisations and individuals from community services and individuals and agencies nationally who share an interest in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and children.
Feel free to visit the SNAICC Website and learn about the importance of the SNAICC vision, purpose, goal and pillars whereas a National Body, SNAICC works for the fulfilment of the rights of First Nations Children, ensuring their safety, development and wellbeing.
What is National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Children's Day?
Children’s Day is a national day established in 1988 on 4 August, set against protests led by Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people and supporters during the Australian bicentennial year. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people decided a day was needed to celebrate First Nations Children, to grow children’s confidence, help them feel important and included. The date 4 August was historically used communally to celebrate the birthdays of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were taken from their families at a young age, without knowing their birthday – the Stolen Generations. To learn more about how you can get involved with Children’s Day, visit:
National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Children's Day (aboriginalchildrensday.com.au)
This National day is a time for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities to come together, celebrate strength and culture of First Nations children. A day where all Australians can show our support, as well as learn about the integral role that culture, family and community play in the life of every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child.
Children’s Day 2023 Theme:
“Little Voices, Loud Futures”
As SNAICC is the National Voice and National Body for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children. SNAICC is responsible to make First Nations Children’s voices powerful for today and the future. A First Nations Voice enshrined within the Australian Constitution will amplify the hard work completed to ensure all First Nations Children can flourish and empower their destinies.
This year’s theme ‘Little Voices, Loud Futures’ stokes the fire of ambition. The awareness of a brighter future of First Nations Children and the ability for all First Nations Children’s voices be heard and the ability to pave a new path powered by culture and speaking their truth.
“It’s in our Indigenous DNA to use oral stories… to carry culture.”
- Stephen Page creative director of Bangarra Dance Company.
Celebrate National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Day with Yarra Plenty Regional Libraries
Stories are the heart of Indigenous culture and the way in which histories are recorded. For millennia, First Nations history, stories of country, dream time, creation and traditions are passed down through time and generations. Storytelling validates experiences, forms relationships, and is an important way to continue culture for Indigenous peoples. Stories either oral or on paper, including song, dance, art and craft send important messages and is a way to record events. Elders pass on their stories, experiences and wisdom to younger generations through storytelling.
This year YPRL is celebrating the SNAICC National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Day during all regional early literacy Storytime sessions on Friday 4th August. We invite all community to attend our Storytime Sessions, staff will be sharing and reading First Nations Stories, singing rhymes and art. All artwork is supplied by SNAICC via their website, and we encourage all our community to visit the YPRL website and make a booking to celebrate this national day.
YPRL is proud to launch our ‘Deadly Collection’ full of First Nations picture books, toy library items, board books and first readers within our library collection. Codesigned with community, where making stories easier to access, enjoy, touch and play. Cultivating an appreciation of indigenous culture and the hope that the tradition of storytelling continues, and as a community form a cultural learning opportunity and embrace First National Community.