NAIDOC Week is over. What next?

The lead up to NAIDOC is consuming, the energy is building, we’re all busy and focused on pulling off great events and ensuring our teams, friends and family are across what is happening and how they can be involved. But as the curtain closes on this glorious week, do you ever think – but what next?

To be honest, most of the time many of us won’t think twice about it, in fact many of us will be probably say I am glad that’s over until next year. We can say this without thinking about the impact discussions regarding Aboriginal culture, worldviews, the social-political position of Aboriginal people in the country had on us during this ‘busy’ week.

So now I invite you to consider this question, NAIDOC Week is over – how are you, your business, the company you work with or the community you are apart, how are you going to turn in this space of advocacy and push for change? Surely, we’re not going back to couch or our comfort zones? Surely, we’re not going to pat ourselves on the back and say job well done guys, see you next year.

When I asked this question on my Instagram account, I didn’t expect the responses I received. I felt confused and surprised, some people are genuinely unsure of what to do or are overwhelmed by not wanting to do the wrong thing, so they, we don’t do anything. One of the messages read like this, ‘Do you have any ideas as to how someone like me (may)be able to do something moving forward? Currently I only think from a work perspective. I’m not sure if that’s good enough’.

This response inspired me to write what I hope is some helpful tips on what opportunities continue to exist for you, your business and the community you live in, if you choose to be a change agent when it comes to advocacy and courageous leadership. Let’s call this NAIDOC 2.0.

The minimum ways we turn up, as government and corporates in this space is through procurement, employment and training opportunities, community consultation and engagement and an acknowledgement of country or statement of commitment. Truth be told to even get to this point our current and past leaders have had to be exceptional at pushing the boundaries, and I am very, very grateful for their efforts and their commitment for us all to be better.

But what next? From my point of view, we must upgrade our thinking, feeling and doing. If we are truly committed and want a different future, it is non-negotiable that we level-up with our leadership. Telling you to increase the performance indicators within your organisations is not the answer, but I am going to say, now is the time to truly stretch your individual mindset and that of the people you surround yourself with, be it at work or home.

This can look like linking arms with Aboriginal people and communities more often, letting us go first, giving back without the expectation of getting something in return, doing more listening than talking, maybe even giving up your airtime for our voices to be elevated and be courageous enough to say we could be doing better than this.

We’re not going to change the world with numbers (although numbers are important), we change the world with people power, with good-hearty, transparent, robust leadership that is prepared to ask hard questions of themselves and those around them. So, I ask you this question, tomorrow when you walk into your office, when you speak with your teams, meet a friend for coffee or talk with your children – what are your plans for NAIDOC 2.0?

Written by Dixie Crawford, Managing Director of Source Nation Pty Ltd. [email protected]