First Nations People

Fairfield City Acknowledgement of Country

We would like to Acknowledge the Cabrogal of the Darug Nation who are the Traditional Custodians of this Land we are meeting on today. We also pay our respect to the Elders both past and present and future of the Darug Nation.

We acknowledge your rich culture and your unique role here in the Fairfield region. Your heritage and traditions are important to us all, and part and parcel of the great history of Australia.

Traditional Custodians

We acknowledge the Cabrogal of the Darug Nation as the original inhabitants of Fairfield City.

Fairfield City Council endorsed a Statement of Commitment between the Council, Gandangara Local Aboriginal Land Council and the local Aboriginal community in April 2005 to:

  • Acknowledge the history that has occurred between Aboriginal people and European settlers in the area;
  • Make a commitment to advocate on behalf of Aboriginal community members to implement culturally appropriate service provision; and
  • Develop, promote and support Aboriginal involvement in local events and celebrations conducted by Council.

The Statement of Commitment builds on a significant number of joint projects between Fairfield City Council and the local Aboriginal community including the Plantlines, Warali Wali and Hilwa Park projects.

As a mark of respect, our events, official meetings, functions and other special occasions begin with an Acknowledgement of Country.

Fairfield City Council acknowledges the original inhabitants of the Fairfield area, the Cabrogal of the Darug Nation. 

Overview

Aboriginal Advisory Committee ‘Warin Tiati’

The Aboriginal Advisory Committee, ‘Warin Tiati’, provides professional and strategic advice and recommendations to Council on issues affecting the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in the Fairfield Local Government Area (LGA).

Warin Tiati means ‘let’s talk’ in Darug. The Committee members sought to emphasise the unique identity and purpose of the Committee, with a name in Darug language.

Warin Tiati advises on the delivery and actioning of Fairfield City’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Reconciliation Action Plan 2021-2022 and meet quarterly.

For more information please contact the Community Projects and Partnerships Officer, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander – scd@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au

Traditional Custodians

We acknowledge the Cabrogal of the Darug Nation as the original inhabitants of Fairfield City.

Fairfield City Council endorsed a Statement of Commitment between the Council, Gandangara Local Aboriginal Land Council and the local Aboriginal community in April 2005 to:

  • Acknowledge the history that has occurred between Aboriginal people and European settlers in the area;
  • Make a commitment to advocate on behalf of Aboriginal community members to implement culturally appropriate service provision; and
  • Develop, promote and support Aboriginal involvement in local events and celebrations conducted by Council.

The Statement of Commitment builds on a significant number of joint projects between Fairfield City Council and the local Aboriginal community including the Plantlines, Warali Wali and Hilwa Park projects.

As a mark of respect, our events, official meetings, functions and other special occasions begin with an Acknowledgement of Country.

Fairfield City Council acknowledges the original inhabitants of the Fairfield area, the Cabrogal of the Darug Nation. 


Fairfield City Acknowledgement of Country

We would like to Acknowledge the Cabrogal of the Darug Nation who are the Traditional Custodians of this Land we are meeting on today. We also pay our respect to the Elders both past and present and future of the Darug Nation.

We acknowledge your rich culture and your unique role here in the Fairfield region. Your heritage and traditions are important to us all, and part and parcel of the great history of Australia.

Fairfield City Reconciliation Action Plan

Our Reconciliation Action Plan is Fairfield City's strategy to build positive relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians.

Download the Reconciliation Action Plan(PDF, 20MB).

Dates of Significance

NAIDOC Week 

National Aboriginal and Islanders Day of Celebration (NAIDOC) is celebrated every year from the first Sunday in July. 

NAIDOC Week represents a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, cultures and achievements and is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about and participate in celebrations of the oldest continuous living cultures on Earth.

National NAIDOC Week will be celebrated Sunday 2 July – Sunday 9 July through 2023 theme “For Our Elders”.

Celebrating Naidoc week logo next to text which says 'For Our Elders. 2-9 July 2023'

SAVE THE DATE! Tuesday 4 July 2023

Fairfield City will celebrate National NAIDOC Week with the NAIDOC Family Fun Day, at the Showground, 443 Smithfield Rd Prairiewood.

If you’d like to get involved in Fairfield City’s NAIDOC Family Fun Day event as a volunteer, stallholder, workshop provider, sponsor or collaborative partner, please complete the Stallholder Application Form:

NAIDOC Family Fun Day Stallholder Application

If you have questions, contact us on scd@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au


National Reconciliation Week

National Reconciliation Week runs annually from 27 May – 3 June. These dates mark two milestones in Australia’s reconciliation journey: The 1967 referendum and the historic Mabo decision respectively.

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to explore how everyone can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. 

National Reconciliation Week 2023 - Be a voice for Generations - 27 May to 3 June

SAVE THE DATE! Tuesday 30 May 2023

Fairfield City Council will celebrate National Reconciliation Week with the 2023 National Reconciliation Week flag raising ceremony at the Council Administration building.

For more information, contact Social Planning and Community Development on scd@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au or 9725 2222. 


National Sorry Day

The first National Sorry Day was held on 26 May 1998, 1 year after the tabling of the report Bringing Them Home, which was an inquiry into the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families. One of the recommendations of the report was that a National Sorry Day should be declared. Each year since then, events have been held across Australia on, or around, 26 May every year to acknowledge the impact of the removal of Aboriginal children from their families.


Services

Fairfield Engaging Families of Aboriginal Heritage (FEFAH) Working Group

Fairfield City Council participates in and supports the Fairfield Engaging Families of Aboriginal Heritage (FEFAH) working group, currently convened by Schools as Community Centre (SaCC) Project Local Facilitator, Fairfield Public School – Kristina Pukeroa.

The Fairfield Engaging Families of Aboriginal Heritage (FEFAH) Working Group aims to build an understanding of the Fairfield Local Government Area’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and build relationships to be able to deliver tailored solutions to identified issues.

For more information or to get involved in the FEFAH working group, contact the 2023 FEFAH Chairpersons kristina.pukeroa1@det.nsw.edu.au

cbarton@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au


South West Sydney Koori Interagency (SWSKI)

This interagency is a forum for workers in NGO’s and government departments to share information and projects specific to the Aboriginal community. South West Sydney Koori Interagency (SWSKI) meetings are held 10am to 12pm on the last Thursday of the month (excluding December).

For more information contact the South West Sydney Koori Interagency Coordinator: joanne.kerr@official.niaa.gov.au


Gandangara Local Aboriginal Land Council

Gandangara Local Aboriginal Land Council is a well-established, member-based organisation that provides strong support and many essential services for their Members. The jurisdictional boundaries of the Gandangara Local Aboriginal Land Council (GLALC) span, in whole or in part, six Local Government Areas in the South Western Sydney region. These include Fairfield, Liverpool, Canterbury-Bankstown, Parramatta, Cumberland, and the Sutherland Shire.

Visit the Gandangara Local Aboriginal Land Council website


Deerubbin Local Aboriginal Land Council

Deerubbin seeks to strengthen the confidence and self-reliance of Aboriginal people and families, and to provide greater opportunity to Aboriginal people and families

Deerubbin LALC are committed to building a confident, resilient and caring community, based upon respect for Aboriginality and Aboriginal values.

As an organisation, Deerubbin LALC are also committed to professional, respectful and ethical behaviour, seeking to build and deepen their partnerships across Greater Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains with government and non-government organisations which share this commitment to the development and success of our community in a professional, respectful and ethical manner.

Visit the Deerubbin Local Aboriginal Land Council website


Indigenous Portal

This website is designed to connect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with Australian Government policies and programs and raise awareness about the initiatives that affect them most.

The site shares stories from individuals, communities and organisations across Australia, telling real stories about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the challenges and opportunities facing them, and the successes and achievements being demonstrated every day.

The Australian Government’s Indigenous Advancement Strategy shapes this portal, reflecting the key areas of focus for Indigenous affairs 

Visit the Indigenous Portal website


Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies

The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) is an Indigenous led national institute that celebrates, educates and inspires people from all walks of life to connect with the knowledge, heritage and cultures of Australia’s First Peoples.

Visit the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies website