During NAIDOC Week, we would like to shine a spotlight on AILA's Cultural Ambassadors, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people who have entered a partnership with AILA to provide cultural guidance relating to Country, generally through the National Connection to Country Committee. Our thanks to AILA Cultural Ambassadors for their guidance, and for the knowledge they share with us.
Tommy Day III
Who is your mob?
Gunditjmara, Wemba Wemba and Yorta Yorta
What does NAIDOC Week mean to you?
NAIDOC is a reminder for us that there was a dream for us, to celebrate us, our culture, everything about us. Thats what it means to me.
What does this year's NAIDOC Theme mean to you?
Just a reminder and a reinforcement that the work is not done. There is more work to do. For us to keep that fire burning inside us towards creating a future where we are not forgotten.
Every year NAIDOC has a theme - at the core of NAIDOC every year is - us. We are the constant. The themes can be an ode to the past, the current moment ie referendum, but its always thinking about the next ones (generations) that are coming. Served as a reminder of the work that we do today will ensure the next generations existence is that much easier than ours today.
How do you view your role as Cultural Ambassador?
I feel my role as a Cultural Ambassador is a role of advocacy to be a voice for the voiceless, face for the faceless and to be Traditional Owners championed in the room when they are not in the room.
All this is in regards to the most important asset that we hold which is Country and to raise the bar of expectations within the industry beyond consultations, beyond a watered-down form of engagement to a true and equitable partnership.
READ ABOUT AILA'S CONNECTION TO COUNTRY COMMITTEE