12 | THE KOORI MAIL, WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2020 www.koorimail.com

By DANNY TEECE-JOHNSON

IN the middle of Australia’sBlack Lives Matter campaignfour Indigenous students ina Year 9 cooking class were

victims of racism when ateacher allegedly made several

offensive comments after a diversitypresentation.

Fourteen-year-old Wonnura girl AlauraFabian told the ABC that the presentation atSingleton High School in Hunter Valleysparked discussion around the Black LivesMatter movement and the death of GeorgeFloyd.

Miss Fabian said this resulted in theteacher “going off” about Indigenouspeople, and making offensive commentsabout the state of living conditions in publichousing and saying that Aboriginal peoplewere taking free government money.

The comments caused four Indigenous students to walk out of the

classroom in disgust. Alaura said, when she confronted the

teacher, she was told she was “too white” tobe recognised as Indigenous.

This comment enraged the mother of the14-year-old, Mary Franks, who told the

Koori Mail that she was deeplydisappointed with the school.

“My daughter said she felt disrespectand disgusted and shocked that a teacherwould say that,” Ms Franks said. “We arehoping that all staff in all schools beeducated on Aboriginal culture andprocedures.”

Speaking to the ABC, the NSWDepartment of Education said the remarkswere totally unacceptable and that theteacher had since met with the studentsand their families and apologised.

Deputy NSW Education Departmentsecretary Murat Dizdar told the ABC thatthe educator would be placed on “alternateduties” while the incident was investigated.

Mr Dizdar said about 15% of thestudents at Singleton High School identifiedas Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, andpraised the school’s response.

“I applaud them for trusting and believingin our young people who raised the matterof concern,” he said.

“They’ve acted in our children’s bestinterests and have been providing themwith support and guidance.”

Alaura was told she did not have toattend the class for the remainder of theterm.

Her mother was disgusted that theteacher wasn’t suspended and hadcontinued to teach for the rest of the week.

“That's their response. They’reprotecting the teacher and my daughter justhas to sit back in the corner and shut hermouth basically,” Mary Franks said.

“That teacher shouldn’t be there.”The Year 9 student said the experience

made her feel unsafe in class, but wanted itto be a learning experience for the teacherinvolved.

Speaking to the Koori Mail Ms Frankssaid, “I would just like to say how veryproud I am of my strong girl and that we allneed to stand up to racism and not let thishappen again to any child again. BlackLives Matter.”

By NICK PATON

TENS ofthousands ofpeople took partin Children’s Day

last year, with over600 events held

around the nation and morethan 15,000 Children’s Daybags sold.

So when the COVID-19pandemic hit earlier this year,the Secretariat of NationalAboriginal and Islander ChildCare (SNAICC) was quick torespond, moving most of the2020 Children’s Day activitiesand events online.

SNAICC is the peak body forAboriginal and Torres StraitIslander children and has beencoordinating National Aboriginaland Torres Strait IslanderChildren’s Day (Children’s Day)for over 30 years.

And as the National Voice forour Children, SNAICCadvocates for the rights, safety,development and wellbeing ofIndigenous children.

Children’s Day falls onAugust 4, the date that stolenIndigenous children wereassigned as their birthday. Itnow marks a day for FirstNations children and families tocome together with otherAustralians to celebrate thestrengths of culture in raisingstrong Aboriginal children.

Children are theElders of tomorrowThe theme for Children’s

Day this year is ‘We are theElders of tomorrow, hear ourvoice’, and SNAICC encouragespeople to explore their newwebsite for ideas and resourcesto help acknowledge theimportance of the knowledgeand wisdom of Aboriginalpeople, starting in childhood.

SNAICC chair MurielBamblett said that Children’s

Day is an important day foreveryone.

“Children’s Day is a perfecttime for us to centre ourselves

and celebrate what’s reallyimportant,” Professor Bamblettsaid.

“Every parent and

grandparent, and uncle andaunty and carer, will tell you thatthe children in their lives aretheir absolute priority.

“That’s something we all share.” Hearing children’s voices

today plays a crucial role inthem growing up to beinginfluential Elders and leaders ofthe future, so to supportChildren’s Day this year,SNAICC are inviting people tofind innovative ways to mark thisimportant day.

Children’s Day bagsjam packed with funOn the Children’s Day

website people can orderreusable Children’s Day bags,which are jam packed with funitems, educational activities, andother useful resources, for $6.

SNAICC spokesperson Sue-Anne Hunter said the cost of theChildren’s Day bag is really justto cover the cost of postage andhandling.

“So it really is a small price topay for some really fun,stimulating and meaningfulactivities,” Ms Hunter said.

“These kids will one dayemerge as our Elders oftomorrow so we need to figureout ways we can nurture thatconcept, so we can keep ourchildren connected to cultureand community.”

During the COVID-19lockdown, SNAICC urgedchildren to draw: What doesculture mean to me? To checkout all the amazing drawings,and to share a picture on socialmedia showing how yourchild/children are keepingconnected to culture, use@SNAICC and hashtag#NATSIChildrensDay2020#KidsConnectedtoCulture.

Download for 2020Children’s Day

To download a freeChildren’s Day poster, registeran event, and access resourcesvisit www.aboriginalchildrensday.com.au

Mary Franks with daughter Alaura Fabian.

Students walk out on

teacher’s racist rantNSW

AUS

Bags of fun planned for Children’s Day

Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Dianne Kerr with Wurundjeri and Kalkadoon girl Jedda Peden-Hunter. Picture: SNAICC

Amira Mason, Lulla’s Children and Family Centre,Shepparton. Picture: Sarah Francis

Leila from Djirri Djirri dancers, Victoria. Picture: Sarah Francis