Every year during July, Australians from all walks of life celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC week is an opportunity to recognise the contributions that Indigenous Australians make to our country and our society, and is a great time to participate in a range of activities to support your local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
The 2017 theme – Our Languages Matter – aims to emphasise and celebrate the unique and essential role that Indigenous languages play in cultural identity, linking people to their land and water and in the transmission of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, spirituality and rites, through story and song.
NAIDOC originally stood for ‘National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee’. This committee was once responsible for organising national activities during NAIDOC Week and its acronym has since become the name of the week itself. Find out more about the fascinating origins and history of NAIDOC Week, or check out this NAIDOC history Timeline.
If you’d like to get involved and take part in a NAIDOC week event, take a look at the official NAIDOC Week calendar for events that may be on near you, or better still plan your own event. If you are thinking about organising a NAIDOC event in your area, here are a few suggestions about how you can celebrate NAIDOC week.
For more information why not visit the Library’s Indigenous Portal, or our Indigenous Studies Libguide, which are both full of fantastic resources and information to help us all learn about, and celebrate, our First Australians.
