I am lucky enough to have grown up with a lot of Elders in my life. It has meant that I have had opportunities to have culture shared with me from birth. I have been so lucky to have guidance, connection, support and love that nurtured me and helped me be strong in who I am in life but also in my culture. It is an influence that has shaped who I am. 

Elders show us ways of being that have kept our cultures strong and they pass down the knowledge we need, sometimes even when we don’t know it. They give us life skills and culture skills but it is more than that - they show us ways of being, knowing and doing while boosting us when we need it; reminding us to be humble when we need that; and encouraging us to embrace culture to guide us through this life. It is hard to put the role of Elders into words because words don’t really seem enough. 

Over the last few months, as we worked with schools and organisations looking to connect with Elders over NAIDOC, it became very clear that the understanding of Elders and the important roles they play often goes under-appreciated by non-Aboriginal community. As schools looked for the oldest Aboriginal person they could find to connect with, teachers were often taken aback when we explained that being an Elder isn’t about age but the role a person undertakes, the contributions they make and the place they hold in community. It made me reflect on why it is so hard for non-Aboriginal people to see what I see, what my community sees, everyday. 

I thought about my Elders. The connections, the stories, the knowledge and advice shared, the lectures in my youth, the encouragement and opportunities they gave me or pushed me to take, the space they held no matter what forum it was and, most of all, the seemingly unwavering confidence in the path they walk. As I called the Elders in my life today and longed for just one more yarn with the Elders who have passed, I realised that I have never appreciated them and all they do, enough. I have often taken them and their presence in my life and everything that comes with their presence - the guidance, knowledge, love and more - for granted. I never really thought about their many roles and the work that went into being an Elder. 

It occurred to me that those outside our communities might not have had the opportunity to recognise the journey travelled in earning the respect that makes you an Elder and the many roles filled by our Elders. Words are not enough to describe the impact of Elders. It is an awareness that has to be gained and you can do this by considering the stories of Elders and recognising their contributions, ways of working and achievements.

Yarn with your school community about the roles of Elders. Download our Elder Yarning Card below for some guiding questions to provoke thoughts and ideas.