Are you about to mail something? Consider adding the Traditional Place name.

I recently read an article about a fabulous campaign led by Rachael McPhail a Gomeroi woman and that celebrates our First Nations people.

Rachael has led a social media campaign to encourage adding Traditional Place names in mailing addresses, and by doing this acknowledge and celebrate the fact that each area in Australia had a former beautiful name.

As part of NAIDOC Week 2020, Australia Post updated its addressing guidelines to include Traditional Place names. Australia Post is also updating 22 of its satchels’ labels to include Acknowledgement of Country and a dedicated Traditional Place name field in the address panel.

I am inspired and love the idea and have recently ordered new return address labels with the Traditional Place name for Brave Smart Strong, which proudly operates from Ngunnawal Country.

You may be wondering what all this has to do with self care? In my view, it's a small but significant action that acknowledges and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture. 

For many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people reconnecting with community, going back to country and practising culture is important to self care. It combines body, mind and emotions, spirituality, land, community, family and culture, which are so important to wellbeing.

So the next time you send a letter or parcel, consider including the Traditional Place name.

You can read more about Rachael here.