Creating Intergenerational Value: Reflections for NAIDOC week

I feel very privileged to hear the regular bites of wisdom on caring for country and caring for people from my family and friends who are First Nation Australians . 
 For this reason I wanted to share the importance of NAIDOC week for us all. Recognising I am writing this perspective from a white Australian immigrant from Liverpool England, but with the permission of my husband,  Michael,  to tell his part of the story. 
I hear many people with similar backgrounds to mine comment on why there are more Indigenous people identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders , often implying or stating it is to get financial benefits. I disagree. It is to secure the privilege of identity. This is the most important value for us  all.
When I moved to Australia at 6 from Liverpool I was not encouraged to hide my Liverpool  place of birth, in fact all through my life I have been encouraged to embrace my working class roots with pride. My Dad had a number plate from the 1970's to 2000's "POM" and was known as "John the POM". We can all belt out a rendition of "You Never Walk Alone" and "Ferry Across the Mersey" and  find going to Anfield really special. 
My husband Michael did not have this privilege of being encouraged to embrace his family connections to Budjalung and Yuin country. In fact because he was born  in 1962 his white mother feared her 8 children would be removed from her if they identified. I can only imagine what his Aboriginal grandmother who lived with them at the time must have felt.
It has been a journey for him to identify and it has nothing to do with financial benefits. To see the pride in our 4 year old granddaughters eyes on embracing her Aboriginal heritage shows him it has been worthwhile to be on this journey.
So what has supported him to be "Blak, Proud and Loud" , the theme of NAIDOC week? 
When he completed his Bachelor of Health Management at UNE in 1999 Pat O'Shane was the Chancellor. She was the first Aboriginal teacher in Queensland, the first to earn a law degree and the first to be the head of an Australian government department. Her role modelling and support across the UNE campus encouraged Michael to graduate with an Indigenous colours as well as the colours of his degree. Our daughter was 9 at the time and this helped her ask questions and explore a part of her family history that had remained hidden. 
Roll forward to her graduation as a Psychologist she embraced Woolyungah Indigenous Centre (WIC)  UOW support to also graduate with an Indigenous sash. Michael and Kirsten  did not seek any other support except to embrace their identity. 
Our 4 year old granddaughter Evelyn has embraced the Acknowledgement of Country song that opens toddler story time at the Wollongong Council library time, and the discussions at Preschool about First Nations . 
It was with great pride Michael and Kirsten heard Evelyn asked if she could have an indigenous t-shirt and hat to wear for Diversity day at Preschool. Stipulating it had to be sparkly and pink. Thank goodness for the Cricut  designs we were able to meet her desire to embrace her identity at preschool! A few hours later she had her t-shirt made and thanks to WIC had a hat. Sorry Jaymee, once at preschool the hat got ditched for a unicorn headband! 
What a difference three generations make - the greatest value of all is about identity. Stop the misinformation spreading that being "Blak, Loud and Proud"  is about money. It is about family, community and country. All important factors in helping make Australia stronger and more resilient for us all.