The 2023 NAIDOC Week theme For Our Elders shares that “across every generation, our Elders have played, and continue to play, an important role and hold a prominent place in our communities and families.”
“We draw strength from their knowledge and experience, in everything from land management, cultural knowledge to justice and human rights. Across multiple sectors like health, education, the arts, politics and everything in between, they have set the many courses we follow.” – NAIDOC Org
As the primary way in which history has been recorded, storytelling is at the heart of indigenous culture.
Lisa Erlandson explains that through the cycle of life, once an Elder has passed, the information and knowledge they held is gone forever—unless we embed the value of learning into babies and kids when they are young. This enables them to grow up and appreciate the value of our culture and to know how privileged they are to hold such significant information that has been passed down from the Elders who learnt from their ancestors.
That’s why Aboriginal people have such a strong connection within the kinship system. Because we ensure that we not only share knowledge to one child, it’s shared with the extended families. This ensures that the information is passed down, keeping our culture healthy and alive.
Lisa Erlandson, Consultant, Program Management
The importance of passing knowledge down
Another reason it’s important for stories to be passed down to the younger generation is because the land has many sacred places across Australia, including waterholes, trees, and objects that need to be protected, maintained and guided to ensure no harm is done. “A lot is changing in Australia’s legislation for Aboriginal people and their sacred areas, it’s important to share with non-indigenous people so they are aware of the consequences that may occur when going to sacred places,” says Lisa.
Sharing through songs, dance and art
Lisa says that at a young age, when participating in ceremonies, you are to be taught to sing and dance from your Elders. They usually participate beside you, guiding you to ensure you are doing it properly. “It is up to the younger generation to take the lead, to listen and continue to share stories of one the longest living cultures in the world.”
Within the international development practice, through our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan, Tetra Tech is committed to ongoing learning, celebration and integration of the wisdom and lived experience of Indigenous Australians.
We recognise the Traditional Custodians of Country and their unique connection to their lands and waters, language, law, kinship and ceremony. In advancing climate outcomes across the Indo Pacific region, considered the most vulnerable to climate change, we acknowledge that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians are the oldest continuous living culture on Earth and have been custodians of the land for millennia.
About the author
Lisa Elandson
Lisa Erlandson is a program management consultant interning with Tetra Tech International Development Services.