The NRW theme for 2025, Bridging Now to Next, is timely and focuses on how we as a nation can look forward and work together, but also ensuring we’re not forgetting the connection from our past Elders and ancestors who have got us to this point. I reflect on my own Grandparents and their determination and fight for a reconciled Australia, and they would be proud of where we are today, however also mindful that there is still a way to go to ensure all Australians are educated and respectful of our culture and what we offer as part of our nation’s history and way forward.
It’s a time for all Australians, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, to connect and grow together as a nation to ensure a brighter future for all our young ones. With two school-aged children, it’s encouraging that more schools are acknowledging and celebrating NRW in their classrooms and I hope this continues as our young ones are our future leaders and it’s important that we bring them on this NRW journey with us (not just during NRW but all year long!).
NRW is a great way to incorporate cultural learnings into the classroom from discussions around the 2025 theme, Bridging Now to Next, and what it might mean to each of the students. Reading Aboriginal books within the classroom (books such as Found by Bruce Pascoe) followed by a yarn about what the book might mean to the student (check out our free classroom activity here), this is a great way to encourage conversation amongst teachers and students and whether there is anything they can do at school or in their lives to bridge ‘Now to Next’. Teachers and schools should encourage students and families to attend local NRW events within community, this is a great way to connect with culture and people.
Deadly Ed offers a deadly range of cultural educational resources, and these can be incorporated into the classroom, workplace or your home any day-not just on NRW. From yarning mats, sensory boards and story-telling resources such as story disc and dice for the little ones to a range of culturally appropriate resource kits (for all ages from Early Years to Secondary) and posters that educate school-aged children about culture and how we acknowledge culture. Explore our resources here.
Of course, these are just a few suggestions on how you can participate in NRW, the main taking is that we all do something to help us in ‘Bridging Now to Next’, to ensure our nation continues to move forward and walk together as one!
Author: Melissa Henkelman
