Standing together with the first peoples of Australia, this year’s campaign encourages churches, schools, mosques and organisations across Australia to display messages of support for first peoples of Australia on their public noticeboards. Messages will also be shared on the campaign’s website and social medial channels.
Representing the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle, Vice Chancellor of Pastoral Ministries, Teresa Brierley says this year’s theme comes at a time when recognition of first peoples could not be more important:
“2017 is proving already to be a year of change - both nationally and internationally, we have seen major changes in Governments overseas, the exit of Great Britain from the European Union and sweeping changes to our national immigration, visa and citizenship policies.
The first peoples of Australia are part of the land which we call home. Their story is critical to us as a nation– it’s more important now than ever that this is not only acknowledged but celebrated throughout mainstream society.
By focussing on standing together with the first peoples of Australia, Give Us A Sign aims to highlight the ongoing issues that first peoples continue to face, support and acknowledge them and their contributions to our communities,” Mrs Brierley said.
Organisations throughout the community are encouraged to take part, by visiting http://giveusasign.org/ and choosing a message to be displayed on external signs throughout the month of May.
Photos of signs can then be forwarded to giveusasign@hotmail.com to be shared on the Give Us A Sign website and social media channels.
