Learn. That is one of the most powerful things you can do this NAIDOC week.

NAIDOC Week 2022 and the theme this year is really about our collective understanding, our presence and how we connect together and genuinely participate. The NAIDOC official website describes a need for us to not lose the momentum of change and it strikes me that is across several fronts - social justice, connection, celebration of First Nations culture and history and repairing the impact to country through climate justice. Progress can only continue if we keep our eyes forward even whilst recognising the past.

What I deeply appreciate about NAIDOC week is the rallying cry to continue to make positive change together. The only way that can happen is if we embrace a way of being that focusses on learning, understanding, truth telling and advocacy.

If you do nothing else this week - learn.

There are endless ways to enrich your understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, history and what we need to do to heal the realities of both the past and current systemic barriers First Nations people face.

Our friends at SBS have an amazing line up of programming all year as does the ABC. The Human Rights Commission provide information that can help you understand the issues we have created in Australia that severely impact the health, wellbeing, employment and life experience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Creative Spirits have brilliant information to help you get started learning about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.

All you have to do is a simple search in any bookstore and you can fill your bookshelves with incredible works of fiction, non-fiction, biographies and historical reflections written by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authors. Listen to talks, tune your social media towards First Nations people and listen. Be prepared to challenge what you thought you knew and to join the conversation and use the power that you have as a person living on this land to advocate with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for continued progress.

We are forever learning at Life Without Barriers and our journey to appreciate and respect First Nations history and culture is the better for it. Our teams are joining events all week (hopefully the rain in NSW is not too problematic) and we are sharing stories of connection and learning on our website and social channels. It is bound to be a fantastic week.