What is NAIDOC Week?
NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observe Committee. It’s origins lie in seeking to increase awareness in the wider community of the status and treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
Heal Country
This year’s theme is ‘Heal Country’. Country is key to First Nations identities, more than a place, country sustains and connects First Nations people spiritually, physically, emotionally, socially and culturally. Heal country calls for all of us to seek greater protections for our lands, our waters, indigenous sacred sites and cultural heritage exploitation and destruction.
This week we also celebrate the history, culture and achievements of the First Nations Peoples. The world’s oldest civilization and traditional land-owners, this week reminds Australians to connect to the culture and continue it on into their everyday life.
We encourage you to discover more about your local First Nations communities and participate in a range of activities to support your local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
Eight Activities to get involved, learn and celebrate
- Learn more about the Country on which you live and work using the AIATSIS Map of Indigenous Australia. The Fathering Project’s head office occupies the traditional lands of the Cammeraygal people.
- Make damper with the kids. Or get more creative in the kitchen using Australian bushfood and native ingredients such as kangaroo, macadamia or lemon myrtle.
- Be inspired by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and crafts or get creative at home with the kids.
How? Simply fill up bowls with different colours of paint, using cotton ear buds, have the children make their own dot painting on paper, rocks or paper plates and cups. - Spend time researching with the kids and learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history.
- Use this year’s theme to connect to Country by going for a walk (if restrictions permit), exercising outside, visiting a local park or gardening.
- Check out some music and podcasts from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creators on Indigitube.
- Watch special NAIDOC Week programming on SBS/NITV and ABC
- Spend time colouring in the NAIDOC Week poster.
