NAIDOC Week 2023 – For Our Elders

Today, and every day, we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the places we work, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present. We honour the deep connection First Peoples have to Country, and value their ongoing contribution to caring for our lands, waters, and skies.

2–9th July is NAIDOC Week in Australia, and the 2023 theme ‘For Our Elders’ encourages us to recognize the contributions Elders have played, and continue to play, in our communities as cultural knowledge holders, trailblazers, nurturers, advocates, teachers, hard workers, survivors, and leaders. Their knowledge, experience, and resilience – in everything from land management to human rights, across sectors like health, education, the arts, politics and everything in between – move us forward today.

During NAIDOC week, we're joining with other architecture and design practices in our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) network, to bring together different perspectives on the roles and responsibilities of designers working with, and within, Country. Although this network may all have endorsed RAPs, we’re on a journey, and there is always more to learn.

We look forward to chatting with BKK Architects, Edition Office, and Kerstin Thompson Architects on Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung Country, and listening to Nguluway DesignInc, Bila Group, Ethos Urban, Curio Projects, and Reconciliation Australia on Gadigal Country.

For more information about the RAP program, and how to get involved, please visit Reconciliation Australia. You are welcome to email australia@oculus.info if you would like to ask us any questions about our RAP journey.