NAIDOC Week is an annual celebration held in the first full week of July. The week reflects upon and honors the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
This year’s NAIDOC week theme speaks of the “Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy”
This theme aligns with the work we at the COACH Network aspire to do in partnership with all people groups in Australia and especially with our first nations people.
We see this alignment especially through our Indigenous COACH Community Mentoring program designed by Salvation Army Indigenous Elders, in the following ways.
When it comes to the next generation, our aspiration within COACH Community Mentoring is to empower Elders to draw on their life experience and wisdom as mentors, walking alongside those facing life’s challenges. Our hope is that these mentors can influence parents to influence children to influence generational change.
All people have strengths, including and especially first nations people. Strength-based mentoring and the relationships that grow from it can spark the generational and even community change we hope for. Our hope is to see people recognizing and using their strengths not only to improve their own lives, but also to positively impact those around them. This is fundamental community development – using each other’s strengths to meet each other’s needs therefore we all become stronger
It holds true for all people that when we find vision, we find purpose. Out of purpose comes meaning. We want to see people not just survive but thrive. Through these mentoring relationships on a micro level, what we see is mentors being equipped and mobilized to support one other person to see a positive and empowered vision for their future. This has the potential to build momentum at the macro level. How so? Well, when one person is empowered to achieve their vision, others can find this aspirational, where the potential exists to see individuals, families and communities find their meaning and be transformed.
Legacy can be understood as the enduring impact of actions by individuals that shape lives and communities over time. Mentors have the potential to leave a powerful legacy through the way they live out their lives and place an intentional investment in another person’s life. And that through this legacy, we might see families become healthier where mentoring gathers momentum, giving rise to new leaders rising up and they in turn leave their own legacy.
In conclusion, as we reflect on NAIDOC Week and its powerful theme, we’re reminded that true change begins in relationships rooted in respect, strength, and shared vision.
COACH Network is committed to be led by walking alongside First Nations people and communities to support the next generation and honor the legacy of those who’ve gone before and to empower others to create a future legacy.
Together, we can build a future where every person is empowered to thrive and contribute to stronger, more connected families, communities and a stronger nation.
Mark Matthews
COACH Community Mentoring, Co-Author
Empowered Faith Communities, Co-Founder
