A new education tool has been launched to promote the meaning and history of Australia’s First Nations flags.
Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy said the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flags portal marked the anniversary of the Aboriginal flag being flown and 50 years of NAIDOC Week.
Senator McCarthy said the portal was a place to learn more about the meaning, history and significance of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags, which represented the world’s oldest continuing cultures.
“The Aboriginal flag was designed by Luritja artist Mr Harold Thomas and was first raised on July 9 in 1971,” she said.
“The Torres Strait Islander Flag was designed in 1992 by the late Mr Bernard Namok of Thursday Island.”
Senator McCarthy said the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags were proclaimed official flags of Australia in 1995, under the Flags Act 1953.
“The education portal is a resource for schools and anyone wanting to deepen their understanding of the importance of our First Nations flags.
“The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags are a source of immense pride for First Nations people. They are powerful visual representations of connections to family, community and our cultures and languages.”
Visit the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flags education portal.
