National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day is a time for all Australians to celebrate and show their support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day is celebrated on 4 August each year in Australia.
Before 1988, Children’s Day was used to celebrate the birthdays of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were taken from their families at a young age, without knowing their birthdays - the Stolen Generations.
Since 1988, SNAICC – National Voice for our Children, has run Children’s Day annually to celebrate the strengths and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
It is also a day for all Australians to show their support and to learn about the crucial impact that culture, family, and community play in the life of every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child.
This year’s theme is My Dreaming, My Future.
The theme explores how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are born into stories passed down through the generations of family, culture, and Country. This theme inspires a reflection on what Dreaming means to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, how it connects to their lives, and the aspirations they have for the future. As SNAICC explains, “Their Dreaming is part of history, while their futures are their own to shape.”
Thomas Mayor, Children's Day ambassador and Uluru Statement from the Heart advocate, shares his reflection on the strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and the impact they will have on the future.
"Our children are central to achieving the aspirations expressed in the Uluru Statement. They are the ones who will teach us how to find our collective heart as we move toward making Voice, Treaty and Truth a reality."
This year’s theme highlights the importance of connecting to family, culture, and Country for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. With these connections, children thrive and grow up strong in their cultures, with support from their families and communities.
With more than 20,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care, Life Without Barriers recognises the importance of prioritising the connection to family and community for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children.
We have partnered with SNAICC to play our part in Closing the Gap and reducing the over-representation of our children in out-of-home care.
You can read about our partnership with SNAICC here.
How will you celebrate National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day?
Across Australia, hundreds of events are held to celebrate Children’s Day in schools, childhood education centres, workplaces, and communities. In fact, in 2021, more than 1,300 events were held across the country!
If you are looking for a Children’s Day event to attend, visit the SNAICC Event Showcase to see what is happening in your state or territory.
You may also like to plan your own event at your workplace, school, or kindergarten or in partnership with a local Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander organisation or community.
For ideas and help planning your event or activity, make sure you visit the SNAICC resources page and register your Children’s Day event here.
