For today’s reflection on NAIDOC week, we had a chat with Terri, Argyle’s Senior Manager in the ACT and Jason, a resident from Ainslie Village in the ACT.
Jason is from the Ngemda Tribe, the region surrounding Brewarrina in NSW. When asked about living in the Village he says “I like Ainslie Village, it’s a bit like the UN”, referring to the diverse community which resides together. Jason goes on to describe the importance of NAIDOC week as an opportunity to “show off Koorie Culture” and what a Koorie person can do.
When asked about what Argyle has done well, he referred to that fact that staff simply “got to know us” – reflecting important values of respect. Jason would like to see greater media coverage to promote Koorie Culture in the future.
Terri has worked in Community Housing for several years and believes the significance of NAIDOC week to a Community Housing Providers is great. Terri says it “helps the organisation learn and understand [more about Indigenous culture] and hopefully allows the organisation to identify where they may be able to quality add”. Terri goes on to state that our ongoing challenge is to “Build bigger appropriate networks and continue our learning” while reflecting our achievements including a willingness and success in instigating cultural awareness and conversations with our Residents, Staff and Stakeholders.
