The theme of NAIDOC Week 2019 is ‘Voice. Treaty, Truth: Let’s Work Together For A Shared Future’. Events will be held across Australia from 7th – 14th July in celebration of the histories, languages, cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The National NAIDOC Committee invites all Australians to walk with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a movement of the nation for a better future.
– The National NAIDOC Committee (NCC)
NAIDOC Week 2019
NAIDOC Week is an important opportunity each year for all Australians to celebrate the histories, languages and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Various events, performances and community gatherings are held throughout NAIDOC week, with the aim to bring all Australians together through art, music and cultural workshops that proudly celebrate the world’s oldest continuous living cultures. It is also an important opportunity to engage with this year’s theme: ‘Voice. Treaty. Truth’ and the processes of truth-telling about our shared history, especially as we reflect on the issues raised in the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
This year is also the UN’s International Year of Indigenous Languages, which is a great opportunity to listen, read and learn more about the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages that have been spoken on this continent for thousands of years. National NAIDOC Co-chair John Paul Jenke maintains that “it’s time for our knowledge to be heard through our voice: an Indigenous voice of this country that is over 65,000 plus years old”.
As well as uplifting and celebrating Indigenous voices, this year’s theme also highlights the ongoing call for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to have an enhanced role in Australia’s decision-making, as well as lasting and effective agreements such as Treaties. In order to move forward together, we need to engage in truth-telling processes about our history as well: “The history of our First Peoples is the history of all of us, of all of Australia, and we need to own it – hearing this history is necessary before we can come to some true reconciliation, some genuine healing for both sides”, Jenke says.
We encourage ARA staff to take part in NAIDOC events throughout the week and take this opportunity to learn more about the commitments in our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). We will be hosting a Morning Tea to acknowledge NAIDOC week on Monday 8th July at 10am in ARA’s Stanmore Office. Aunty Phemia will be providing a Welcome to Country and a background on what NAIDOC week is all about.
ARA Indigenous Services at NAIDOC WEEK
Michael Grech, Indigenous Engagement Officer at ARA Indigenous Services, will be attending the following NAIDOC events in Sydney and encourages any ARA Staff interested in attending to get in touch with him via mgrech@araindigenous.com.au or 0413 369 925 to meet up.
Sunday 7th July: NAIDOC Community Fun Day at Marrickville Oval, 9am-2pm
Marrickville Rugby League Football Club is hosting a Family Fun Day for NAIDOC. ARA Indigenous Services will have a branded marquee at the event and current staff will be there to share their stories of working at ARA, offering an Indigenous perspective and taking expressions of interest. There will also be promos and giveaways.
Tuesday 9th July: Absec’s NAIDOC Family Fun Day at Steel Park, Marrickville, 10am-2pm
Absec is celebrating NAIDOC with Indigenous community leaders, cultural performances, arts and crafts, and fun activities for the whole family to enjoy. ARA Indigenous Services will have a branded marquee at the event and current staff will be sharing their journey of employment with ARA and handing out promo bags as well.
Friday 12th July: NAIDOC Event at NCIE, 180 George St, Redfern, 12-4pm
Head to NCIE for an awesome celebration with performers, food and community stalls, sports stars, treaty films and activities for the kids. Michael will be attending the event and encourages ARA Staff to contact him if they would like to meet up at the event.
NAIDOC Week Events Across Australia:
Here are some events happening around Australia in celebration of NAIDOC Week. To find an event happening in your local area, browse the NAIDOC Events page.
VIC
NAIDOC Week Art Workshop, Hawthorn
Join Aboriginal Artist Nathan Patterson in creating artwork to celebrate NAIDOC Week 2019. Nathan is a proud Wagiman man living in Victoria.
TAS
NAIDOC Flag Raising Event Morning Tea, Devonport
Flag Raising and Morning Tea Event at Tiagarra Mersey Bluff, Devonport.
NSW
Combined Schools NAIDOC Celebration, Wingham
Wingham High School will host a combined schools NAIDOC Celebration. All of our feeder Primary Schools will be coming to Central Park to celebrate NAIDOC week together, participating in a variety of activities throughout the day.
WA
NAIDOC Week Perth Opening Ceremony, Perth
The NAIDOC Week Perth Opening Ceremony is the formal opening to NAIDOC Week in Perth. The event will start with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony by Whadjuk Noongar Elders and there will be performances by dancers, singers and a Youth Fashion presentation. There will also be children’s activities, a free sausage sizzle and community stalls.
ACT
NAIDOC Week Community Celebration, Woden
Community NAIDOC Week Celebration at Woden Town Square.
QLD
Brisbane City Council Official NAIDOC week launch
The annual Brisbane City Council official NAIDOC week launch is in celebration of this year’s NAIDOC week theme, Voice. Treaty. Truth – let’s work together for a shared future. A time for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to have a discussion. Experience; panel discussions, Traditional and contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performers and arts and crafts. Elder morning tea provided
NT
NAIDOC Morning Tea, Casuarina
Join us for NAIDOC Morning Tea atGeorge Brown Darwin Botanical Gardens.
SA
Celebrate NAIDOC Week at Adelaide & Monarto Zoos
Join us for two weeks of cultural festivities and activities as we celebrate Aboriginal culture, art, stories and language with our interactive school holiday program. Fun-filled activities, interesting displays, storytelling and live presentations will allow your child to learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.
The ARA Group spans over 40 locations throughout Australia and New Zealand, and we acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we live and work. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and future.