In celebration of NAIDOC week 2022, we caught up with 8 incredibly special First Nations creatives to share their wisdom on the importance of this momentous week and what it means to them personally. Their responses are a joy to read and we hope you love this journal as much as we do!
Amanda Hinkelmann @becauseofmyfour
Who are you and what do you do?
I am Amanda Hinkelmann - A proud Wiradjuri woman, Artist and Mother of four. I create direct responses to emotion, to Country, connection and experience through my artworks. I reflect memory, intuition and a love of Country in my works, using a contemporary, feminine palette and a mix of traditional and unique iconography.
What does NAIDOC mean to you and your mob?
NAIDOC Week for me and my mob is one of the most important weeks on the calendar. I use the week (and the time around NAIDOC) to celebrate culture and to share my love for my heritage as much as possible. I am so proud to stand as an Aboriginal woman today, and I love sharing the beauty of my deadly culture with everyone. I usually run a few giveaways, have an art treasure hunt on Wirdajuri Country and do a few other special things through the week.
This years NAIDOC theme is "Get up! Stand up! Show up!" - how do you think we can all contribute towards this goal?
I believe it is important to focus on all of the amazing First Nations people who are out there and absolutely smashing it - positive role models for our kids and our people. It is easy to get wrapped up in the noise, but if we want to make change, it is important to celebrate all that we are and what we stand for in a respectful, purposeful and honourable way. I love standing up, showing up and being proud of who I am and all that I am able to achieve.
Bobbi Lockyer @bobbilockyer
Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Bobbi Lockyer and I’m a colour-obsessed, queer feminist pink-haired mermaid queen, spearheading change in social spaces through art. I am an artist, photographer, illustrator and Fashion Designer. I am a proud Ngarluma, Kariyarra, Nyulnyul & Yawuru woman born and based on Kariyarra Country in Port Hedland, NAIDOC Artist of the Year 2021 and an official creator for Nikon Australia, I'm also a solo mother to four amazing boys, striving to create a better, more colourful world for them and everyone else.
What does NAIDOC mean to you and your mob?
NAIDOC for me is celebrating, recognising and appreciating all aspects of my culture and all our achievements. It’s mob coming together and paying our respects to our elders and our ancestors, sharing stories and having a good feed together. NAIDOC is for all to acknowledge and respect our rich thousand years old history.
This years NAIDOC theme is “Get up! Stand up! Show up!” - how do you think we can all contribute towards this goal?
By recognising and championing those voices who have not only driven but also led change in our communities. It’s bringing Indigenous campaigns and issues to the forefront and not just speaking about making changes or ideas on how things can be different but by actually getting up, standing up and showing up!
Zoe Mardijbalina @mardijbalina_art
Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Zoe Mardijbalina Fitzpatrick. I am an Aboriginal artist, Designer and a Registered Nurse working for an Aboriginal health organisation in Alice Springs in the NT. When I’m not at work I am pursuing my passion for Aboriginal art through painting and fashion.
What does NAIDOC mean to you and your mob?
NAIDOC has always been very special to me. It’s a time of the year where our mob get to celebrate, be proud and loud of who we are without any negative outside noise. For my mob back home, we spend the whole week having ceremonies, playing sports, collecting bush tucker and being present as a community. It’s a week full of laughter and empowerment.
This years NAIDOC theme is “Get up! Stand up! Show up!” - how do you think we can all contribute towards this goal?
This years theme is important in showcasing that Aboriginal people still need support, acknowledgment, appreciation and inclusion. Although we have come a long way from how things were 200 years ago, we still have a long journey ahead in building a better relationship between indigenous and non-indigenous Australia. People can do their part by ensuring you’re correctly educated about true Aboriginal Australia and by showing up when we need it most.
Wayne Quilliam @waynequilliam
Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Wayne Quilliam also known as ‘Marlipinyini Milawini’ The Painter of light. A storyteller recording our shared histories, a creative spirit expressing cultural knowledge through immersive art, a family man offering respect to all that listen.
What does NAIDOC mean to you and your mob?
The essence of NAIDOC continues to evolve as more ‘Australians’ embrace and engage with our culture. It is a week to remember and celebrate those who walked the land before us. Personally, being named NAIDOC Artist Of The Year many years ago, continues to inspire me to be more.
This years NAIDOC theme is “Get up! Stand up! Show up!” - how do you think we can all contribute towards this goal?
"Get up, Stand up, Show up" is a call to arms for all Australians. Our Elders sacrificed so much to get us to this point in time, they laid the foundations for future generations to walk together. We must continue to show up……………
Ryhia Dank @nardurna
Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Ryhia Dank, I am a Gudanji x Wakaja Artist x Designer x Illustrator and the owner of Nardurna and Yardi Haus.
What does NAIDOC mean to you and your mob?
To me NAIDOC means to educate, I feel that it's the one week that people don’t have an excuse not to educate themselves on Australia’s real history - that doesn’t mean that it should be only within this week but there should be an extra effort during this time.
When I’m back home on Country in Borroloola, NAIDOC is a week of celebration. We would have ceremonies, dancing and everyone would gather and bring different foods, there would be dugong, sea turtle, goanna, kangaroo, beef and fish.
This years NAIDOC theme is “Get up! Stand up! Show up!” - how do you think we can all contribute towards this goal?
I think there needs to be more support and voices around land rights, education, health and justice, it would be great to see all Australians standing up and calling out injustices, there are enough shared daily on social media by Indigenous and non-Indigenous for the general population and media to pick up on.
Melissa Greenwood @miiimiandjiinda
Who are you and what do you do?
I am Melissa, the founder and creator of Miimi & Jiinda. My Miimi (Mum), Lauren, works alongside me in the capacity of Master Weaver, artist, and cultural consultant.
What does NAIDOC mean to you and your mob?
NAIDOC is a time for celebration. A time where mob gets together and shares our culture, stories, language, dance, and has fun! It's an important time for the spotlight to be shone on the achievements of mob, on our excellence and our beautiful culture. It's a reminder that Aboriginal culture is alive and thriving across all nations in this country. Unfortunately, it's only a week and should be a year-round celebration and recognition, but it's a start in the right direction.
This year's theme is "Get Up, Stand Up & Show Up", and that's what we all need to do, collectively as a country. We need to get up and stand up for the longest surviving culture in the world. We all need to acknowledge, celebrate, and appreciate how lucky we are to be walking and living on these sacred lands with an 80,000 year history; one that has spirit beings and ancestors watching over all of us.
This year's NAIDOC theme is “Get up! Stand up! Show up!” - how do you think we can all contribute towards this goal.
Firstly, awareness is key. Being open to listening and learning is the first step, and once a deeper understanding and a point of empathy has been established, then we can unite and "Get Up, Stand Up, and Show Up" together.
We need to dismantle the systems that are set up to divide us. We need to bring awareness to the injustices that are still happening today, and put a stop to them. We are all born from this earth, from Miimi Marraal (Mother Earth), so we must honour and respect that and find ways to connect back into that source, that energy, and that collective thinking.
A great way for allies to contribute is to research and find Blak brands (Indigenous businesses), and shop their products and use the resources they put out. There are so many incredible Indigenous brands/businesses these days, and supporting that one business supports the community. The important thing to remember with this though, is to make it an ongoing commitment, not just doing so when NAIDOC week is happening.
Tash Kaiser @wurrumay_collective
Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Tash Kaiser, I'm a proud Aboriginal Woman and small business owner of Wurrumay Collective. I have a passion for handcrafting luxury home and body products whilst honouring my culture.
What does NAIDOC mean to you and your mob?
NAIDOC is such an important time to me and my mob as it's a recognised time of the year that we get to celebrate our sacred culture, true history and achievements by First Nations people with EVERYONE.
This years NAIDOC theme is “Get up! Stand up! Show up!” - how do you think we can all contribute towards this goal?
Getting up, standing up and showing up for First Nations people will (in reality) mean another step closer to creating real systemic change. Understanding the true history of this Country, the impacts of colonisation and how we can walk together to create a better future for our next generation.
Bianca Monaghan @jaanabulaan
Who are you and what do you do?
I am a proud Bundjalung woman living and raising my babies on country, teaching them their culture every step of the way. I love to share my culture in every way. From the cloths we wear to the blankets we wrap our babies in, everything tells a story. My brand is Ally friendly as I want all people to embrace the oldest living culture in the world and be just as proud of it.
What does NAIDOC mean to you and your mob?
NAIDOC week is a huge celebration of our people and culture. It is my favourite and most busy week of the year. We get to catch up with mob we may not have seen for a while. There is a huge sense of pride, family and warmth all week. This week is also about education for the wider community, and a good starting point for people to come and sit, listen and learn.
This years NAIDOC theme is “Get up! Stand up! Show up!” - how do you think we can all contribute towards this goal?
This years theme is another great one and so important. For 250 years this is what First Nations people have been doing, the ones who came before us fought hard for us to have what we have today, it is now our time and responsibility to continue this on. All community can help achieve us moving forward together by, standing beside us, listening and valuing what we have to say.
With a whole lotta love xx
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