Lifestyle & Entertainment
The Impact and Lessons of Indigenous Elders
By Tammy Sofranic
Let’s celebrate NAIDOC Week 2023 together! This year’s theme is For Our Elders.
There’s no better time to learn about the Indigenous culture and history than now so here are five well-known Aboriginal Elders their impact on society and key lessons we can all take from them.
Skillsroad recognises the traditional owners of the lands on which we work and live. Our offices are on Gadigal land in the Eora nation. We encourage you to do research and discover the names of the lands on which you reside.
1. Cathy Freeman
Cathy Freeman Australian Olympian. Source: The Australian
Impact:
Cathy is from the Kuku Yalanji Nation and is mostly known for competing in many Olympic Games. She is the first Aboriginal person who won an Olympic gold medal in an individual event (400 meters sprint) and had the honour at the Sydney Olympics (2000) to light the Olympic flame during the opening ceremony.
In 2018 she received the Order of Merit award the Australian Olympic Committee’s highest honour.
Lesson:
Trust the process keep working hard the results and recognition will follow!
2. Adam Goodes
Adam Goodes AFL Player. Source: Moriarty Foundation
Impact:
Adam was a champion Australian Rules Football (AFL) player with the Sydney Swans. He made history in the AFL by playing hundreds of matches over 18 years winning two key medals and premierships.
His impact goes beyond this; Adam is a four-time All-Australian (2003 2006 2009 2011) a member of the Indigenous Team of the Century and Australian of the Year 2014.
Lesson:
Give back to those who need it – Adam worked with troubled youth including youth detention centres. Further he formed a foundation to provide education scholarships and support to the next generation. Adam opened another business Indigenous Defence & Infrastructure Consortium to help Aboriginal businesses to win contracts.
Stand up against racism – Adam did not shy away from standing up against racism. He endured booing from audiences for objecting to a racist slur which led to an “I Stand With Adam” campaign against racism in 2013. Unfortunately the booing continued and in 2015 he retired from AFL. The Australian Dream is a fantastic documentary highlighting his journey and what he endured.
3. Anita Heiss
Anita Heiss is a proud member of the Wiradyuri nation and a famous author. Source: Morgan Roberts.
Impact:
Anita wrote books ranging from historical novels to children’s and poetry collections leaving a cultural impact and heritage for future generations.
She supported Aboriginal women through her work highlighting the difficulties of navigating relationships especially for educated Aboriginal women.
Lesson:
Be an advocate for what you believe in.
Create evergreen work that speaks to multiple generations.
4. Russell Charles Taylor AM
2018 Male Elder of the Year Award
Proud Kamilaroi man Russell Charles Taylor AM has been a tireless campaigner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for over four decades. Source: Naidoc.org.au
Impact:
He devoted twenty years to public service focusing on Aboriginal Development. He is a Board Member of the Healing Foundation and Nature Conservation Trust. Finally he was awarded NAIDOC Male Elder of the Year in 2018 after four decades of campaigning for the rights and acknowledgment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Lesson:
Support your people preserve cultural heritage and keep working hard!
Source: Famous Aboriginal people activists & role models -
Creative Spirits, retrieved from https://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/people/famous-aboriginal-people-role-models
Well done! You have already learned a lot about the Indigenous culture. If you'd like to equip yourself with more knowledge and fun facts, keep on reading below:
