NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. Its origins can be traced to the emergence of Aboriginal groups in the 1920′s which sought to increase awareness in the wider community of the status and treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
NAIDOC Week is held in the first full week of July. It is a time to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and an opportunity to recognise the contributions that Indigenous Australians make to our country and our society.
National NAIDOC 2015 Theme: We all Stand on Sacred Ground: Learn, Respect and Celebrate
This year the theme highlights Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ strong spiritual and cultural connection to land and sea. The theme is an opportunity to pay respects to country; honour those who work tirelessly on preserving land, sea and culture and to share the stories of many sites of significance or sacred places with the nation.
This year’s theme was also chosen specifically to highlight and celebrate the anniversary of the ‘Handback’ of Uluru, one of these sacred sites, to its traditional owners on 26 October 30 years ago.
NAIDOC 2015 Poster
The first NAIDOC poster was created in 1972 to promote ‘Aborigines Day’ which had become widely accepted as a day for Australians to come together in support of better rights for Indigenous people. The protest nature of the poster continued until 1977 with titles like ‘Self Determination’ and ‘Chains or Chance’ publicising political change and a day of remembrance.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) launched the official NAIDOC poster competition in the mid 1990′s inviting entries from around the country and offering generous prize money as well as the opportunity for newly emerging artists to display their work nationally. Entrants were required to develop an artwork based around set themes such as ‘Respect’ and ‘Families are the basis of our existence’.
Today, 100,000 posters are distributed nationally. The poster is a creative opportunity for artists to convey messages depicting the cultural and political history of Australia’s Indigenous people and is the primary tool for promoting NAIDOC Week activities.
For more information: See the
Poster Gallery
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ACT Events
Just some of the many NAIDOC Week events taking place in Canberra are highlighted below. For a calendar of events visit the
NAIDOC website or go to the
NAIDOC ACT Facebook page
Alana Valentine’s HEAD FULL OF LOVE
The Street Theatre
Alana Valentine’s Head Full of Love is the story of an inspiring friendship, a beanie festival, and a track to positive reconciliation. The play, from one of Australia’s much loved writers of theatre, Alana Valentine (MP, Parramatta Girls, Run Rabbit Run) raises awareness about this important facility and the ongoing issues surrounding health standards in remote Indigenous communities and makes no apology in advocating for social change.
Date: 3 & 4 July 2015
Time: 7:30pm
Venue: The Street Theatre, 15 Childers St, Canberra City West
Cost: $29 - $39
For more information: Visit the
NAIDOC website, email
ushers@thestreet.org.au, or call (02) 6247 1223
ACT NAIDOC Family Day
Canberra and District NAIDOC Aboriginal Corporation
The day will include the official opening for ACT NAIDOC Week which will kick start NAIDOC 2015 celebrations across Canberra. This event will bring together Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples to share, celebrate and acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, lifestyles and achievements. The day will include free entertainment from local performers, 50 market stalls hosted by State and Federal Government departments, Non-Government and Community organisations, Indigenous arts and crafts outlets, and a host of free kids activities and games.
Date: 5 July 2015
Time: 11am – 4pm
Venue: Reconciliation Place, King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Cost: Free
For more information: See the
flyer or visit the
NAIDOC ACT Facebook page
NAIDOC Festival
National Museum of Australia
Come and celebrate the start of NAIDOC Week at the National Museum of Australia with craft, tours, film and entertainment for the whole family. Featuring performances by much-loved Indigenous singer/songwriter Warren H Williams and hip-hop duo Majik Honey.
Date: 5 July 2015
Time: 11am – 3pm
Venue: National Museum of Australia, Lawson Crescent, Acton Peninsula,
Cost: Free
For more information: Visit the
NAIDOC website, or email
information@nma.gov.au
Our cultures: Celebrating Together
West Belconnen Child and Family Centre
Celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait culture by showcasing local artists, weavers, musicians, storytellers and dancers. Featuring music by Johnny Huckle, basket weaving by Angela Pisciotta, storytelling with Mark "Coomba" Coombs, art with local artist Peter Finegan and more. Lunch provided. Suitable for all ages.
Date: 6 July 2015
Time: 11am
Venue: West Belconnen Child and Family Centre, 6 Luke St, Holt
Cost: Free
For more information: Visit the
NAIDOC website, or email
denise.small@act.gov.au
Balagardi Barnagardi Exhibition – Aboriginal Art from the Wajarri People of Western Australia Art Exhibition
Department of Industry and Science
Balargardi Barnagardi – Across to the other land is a temporary and free exhibition that celebrates the special connection the Wajarri People have with country in the remote Mid-West region of Western Australia. It explores the stories that have connected Wajarri culture with the country over countless generations. The aim of the exhibition is also to bring context to the unique relationship that exists between the Wajarri People and the projects that exist on Wajarri land at the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory, including the proposed international science project, the Square Kilometre Array. It will also provide new opportunities for economic and cultural benefits for the Wajarri artists who will be exhibiting and selling their work. Wajarri artists will travel to Canberra from Western Australia and will be available during the exhibition to talk to visitors about Wajarri art, culture and Country.
Date: 7 July 2015
Time: 10am
Venue: Mosaic Room, Hotel Hotel, New Acton Nishi, 25 Edinburgh Ave, New Acton
Cost: Free
For more information: Visit the
NAIDOC website, or email
birgitte.ingram@industry.gov.au
NAIDOC at Winnunga
Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service
Come and celebrate NAIDOC Week at Winnunga with a BBQ, entertainment and activities for the kids. Everyone welcome!
Date: 8 July 2015
Time: 10am – 3pm
Venue: 63 Boolimba Crescent, Narrabundah
Cost: Free
For more information: See the
flyer, or call (02) 6284 6222
Yangupala Tjuta Waakarinyi – Many Young People Working
Sabbia Gallery
Sabbia Gallery is pleased to present 'Yangupala Tjuta Waakarinyi - Many Young People Working', Indigenous Ceramics from Ernabella Australia, in conjunction with the 14th Australian Ceramics Triennale - Stepping Up.
There will be an artist exhibition floor talk and demonstrations from Milyika (Alison) Carroll, Anne Thompson & Tjimpuna Williams on Wednesday 8 July 2015, 1 - 3pm.
Date: 8 July 2015
Venue: Visitors Centre Gallery, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Clunies Ross St, Acton
Cost: Free (RSVPs essential)
For more information: Visit the
NAIDOC website, email
gallery@sabbiagallery.com, or call (02) 9361 6448
2015 Gugan Gulwan NAIDOC Awards and Disco
Gugan Gulwan Youth Aboriginal Corporation
Gugan Gulwan is hosting its 2015 NAIDOC Awards and Disco. The event will involve a sit down meal and dessert. Tables of 10 are available. All are welcome.
Date: 9 July 2015
Time: 5:30 - 9pm
Venue: Weston Community Hub, 1/6 Gritten St, Weston
Cost: Free
For more information: See the flyer or email nick@gugan-gulwan.com.au
NAIDOC Community Celebration: Land & Learning
YWCA Canberra, Northside Community Service, Karralika, The Smith Family, Woden Community Service, ACTCOSS
This year’s NAIDOC theme will highlight Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples strong spiritual and cultural connection to land and sea. This theme is an opportunity to pay respect to country and honour those who work tirelessly on preserving land, sea and culture and to share stories.
This celebration will include story telling, artwork and a yarn with respected Elders and the future generation. Traditional Torres Strait Islander food and a BBQ will be provided.
Date: 9 July 2015
Time: 11am – 2pm
Venue: The Smith Family Office, Cnr Launceston and Easty st, Woden
Cost: Free
For more information: Visit the
NAIDOC website, or email
julie.evans@wcs.org.au
Jack Cusack Memorial Lecture 2015
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)
This paper presents youth perspectives. It focuses on their social interactions, experiences, personal understandings and behaviour in relation to Indigenous Ecological Knowledge. Despite the very real concern that this knowledge is fragmenting, Ms Josie Douglas shows that the social processes and practices of Indigenous Ecological Knowledge continues to be present in the lives of these young people.
Date: 10 July 2015
Time: 5pm
Venue: CSIRO Discovery Centre North, Science Road, Acton
Cost: Free
For more information: Visit the
NAIDOC website, the
CSIRO website, or call (07) 3883 5775
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ACT NAIDOC Awards and Ball
The annual Canberra and district NAIDOC Awards Ball will be held on 4 July and will present the ACT NAIDOC Awards.
The nominees for the 2015 ACT NAIDOC Awards are:
- Person of the Year: Dion Devow, Georgia Gleeson, Tarran Backhus, Jo Chivers and Brendan Oldfield
- Youth of the Year: Kane Allan and Liam Bashford
- Sportsperson of the Year: Kane Allan, Georgia Gleeson and Brendan Oldfield
- Scholar of the Year: Karel Williams
- Apprentice/ Trainee of the Year: Kaden Chivers
- Elder of the Year: Violet Sheridan and Annette Christou
- Artist of the Year: Sarah Richards
- Organisation/ Agency/ Committee of the Year: Indigenous Reading Project (IRP), Winnunga Warriors Basketball Club and Winnunga Men’s Group
- Non-Indigenous Person/ Organisation’s Contribution to the Indigenous Community: Dan Billing (Indigenous Reading Project), Bruce Minerds (Winnunga Warriors Basketball Club) and Rita Metzenrath (AIATSIS)
- Caring for Country: Daren Chong and Dean Freeman
- Miss NAIDOC: Amy Minchin, Sarah Richards, Kaytlin Kelly, Nicola Barker and Tiana House
- Mr NAIDOC: Cleveland McGhie, Ethan French, Harry Williams and Liam Bashford
- Business of the Year: Capital Workplace Solutions, Dream Danz Studios, Dilkara Essence of Australia and Alliance FM.
Date: Saturday 4 July 2015
Time: 6.30 – 11.30pm
Venue: QT Hotel Ballroom, New Acton
Tickets: From $80 per person.
For more information: Visit the
ACT NAIDOC Facebook page, or email
actnaidocball@gmail.com.
