What does NAIDOC and the 2021 NAIDOC theme of ‘Heal Country’ mean to me and the State Library?
Written by Jamie Hampton, Indigenous Collections Officer.
The 2021 NAIDOC theme of ‘Heal Country’ is very important and means a lot to me. As an Aboriginal man I have spent a lot of time on country learning who I am and my connection to it.
The State Library of South Australia holds a lot of important cultural material relating to Aboriginal people and their land. This material is vital to keeping our country and culture strong. When we talk about healing country, we talk about everything that comes with caring for our country - the song lines, stories and ceremonies. In Warlpiri language this is called Jukurrpa. This is our connection to the land, waters and animals. The importance of healing and looking after our country is so that we as Aboriginal people can also be healthy. The saying goes “look after country and country will look after you”.
The State Library is excited about working with Aboriginal communities on recording, reviving and repatriating important cultural material that will keep our culture and country both healthy and strong for the future generations.
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Photos taken by CP Mountford on the expedition to The Granites 1936 as part of the Board for Anthropology Research.