NAIDOC
Week
What
is NAIDOC Week?
NAIDOC stands for National Aboriginal Islander Day Observance Committee.
The Committee coordinates NAIDOC week, which takes place in July
every year. The celebrations aim to promote a greater understanding
of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and our culture
and give us the opportunity to display the richness of our culture
and heritage to the entire Australian community. Each year NAIDOC
Week has a theme; in 2003 the theme is Our Children, Our Future.
How
did NAIDOC Week start?
Following years of effort by various groups and individuals within
the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, in 1955 Aborigines
Day became a national event and was celebrated in July that year
for the first time. In 1957 the National Aborigines Day Observance
Committee (NADOC) was formed. In 1991, NADOC became known as NAIDOC
to include Torres Strait Islanders. NAIDOC is now used widely to
refer to all the events and celebrations that go on during National
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Week beginning the first Sunday
in July every year.
What
Happens in NAIDOC Week?
All over Australia Indigenous and non-Indigenous people come together
throughout the country to celebrate NAIDOC week. There are many
ways people get involved in NAIDOC Week, some of these include organising
or going to:
• an open day at an Aboriginal Community Organisation,
• a flag raising ceremony,
• movies at an Indigenous film festival,
• an exhibition of Indigenous artists,
• storytelling at a local primary school.
• a community barbeque
• a performance by an Indigenous theatre group.
Who
Funds NAIDOC Week?
NAIDOC is a celebration of indigenous people and culture in all
parts of Australian life, the funding of NAIDIC Week reflects this
diversity. Funding is provided by various government and community
organisations. ATSIC makes available a range of regional community
grants, they also help organize and fund a number of state wide
events including the Elder’s Luncheon and the March. In Victoria,
Aboriginal Affairs funds a number of events including the Young
Achievers Awards and the Premier’s Reception. Local councils
and Indigenous Co Operatives also provide funding for NAIDOC Week
as well as many smaller community organisations.
How
can I get in contact with them, or find out what’s on?
Victorian NAIDOC website www.naidocvic.com.au
ATSIC NAIDOC web page at www.atsic.gov.au/Events/NAIDOC/
