By Mike CrooksMonday 8 Jul 2024NewsReading Time: 4 minutes
From Sunday, Australians will come together to celebrate thousands of years of history.
Key points
- This year’s theme is “Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud.”
- NAIDOC – National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee – hosts the week, which runs until July 14.
- The National NAIDOC Week Awards Ceremony will be held prior to NAIDOC Week on July 6 at the Adelaide Convention Centre.
NAIDOC Week kicks off on Sunday, July 7 to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Indigenous Australians.
“The resilience of mob, our shared experiences, collective memories and kinship is a source of tremendous pride,” National NAIDOC Committee Co-Chair, Aunty Lynette Riley, said.
“We honour the flame of the fire, kindling the sparks of pride and unity, igniting a renewed commitment to acknowledging, preserving, and sharing the cultural heritage that enriches our nation.”
“Celebration of identity”
This year’s theme is “Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud.”
The theme “encapsulates the unapologetic celebration of Indigenous identity, empowering us to stand tall in our heritage and assert our place in the modern world,” National NAIDOC Committee Co-Chair Steven Satour said.
“This theme calls for a reclamation of our narratives, an amplification of our voices, and an unwavering commitment to justice and equality.”
“Oldest living cultures”
NAIDOC – National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee – hosts the week, which runs until July 14.
This year’s theme is “Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud.”
The week is “an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth,” read a NAIDOC statement.
“You can support and get to know your local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities through activities and events held across the country.”
Darling Harbour
In Sydney, the week kicks off early in Darling Harbour which hosts a NAIDOC-themed fireworks on Saturday night, July 6.
There will also be a Welcome to Country, Smoking Ceremony and special cultural dance performances outside Planar Restaurant in Cockle Bay.
For more information visit here.
Barangaroo’s “Stories in the Stars”
Get ready for a “magical journey” at Barangaroo Reserve.
Under the night sky, and beside a campfire, there will be “Stories in the Stars” – stories that have told and passed down for generations.
NAIDOC hosts the week, which runs until July 14.
The First Nations-led program “is your chance to explore the universe through the eyes of first people of this country.”
The event is free and takes place from 5pm-7pm on Tuesday, July 9.
For other events at Barangaroo visit here.
Penrith
On Friday, July 12, the Penrith Council is hosting a free community NAIDOC event at Jamison Park.
The day, which runs from 10am to 3pm, will include performances, artisan market stalls, bush tucker plants, a free BBQ lunch, “First Nations’ food trucks” and more.
“The event will embrace … the unyielding spirit of our communities and invites all to stand in solidarity, amplifying the voices that have long been silenced,” a Penrith Council statement read.
Centennial Park
On the final day of the week, Centennial Park is having a special “NAIDOC in the Park” day.
From 3pm to 5pm on July 14 families can take part in traditional weaving and a shell workshop, listen to “captivating stories” from Indigenous storyteller Aunty Ali Golding, and enjoy traditional dance performances.
The day, which costs $5 per person, ends with a “Spotlight Prowl”.
The National NAIDOC Week Awards Ceremony will be held on July 6.
NAIDOC Awards
The National NAIDOC Week Awards Ceremony will be held prior to NAIDOC Week on July 6 at the Adelaide Convention Centre.
The awards recognise the outstanding contributions that Indigenous Australians make to improve the lives of people in their communities.
Among the awards is the National NAIDOC Person Award, which last year was won by Professor Kelvin Kong, Australia’s first Indigenous surgeon.
The awards are televised live on the ABC TV from 7.30pm.
The national broadcaster is also featuring an “extensive collection” of special Indigenous Australian content during the week.
“The ABC is proud to celebrate NAIDOC Week 2024, with a variety of compelling, entertaining content for all Australians,” Head ABC Indigenous Kelrick Martin said.
For more information on NAIDOC Week visit here.
For activities and events in your local area visit the NAIDOC event list.
Article supplied with thanks to Mike Crooks. Michael is a senior journalist and former news editor of Who magazine. His work has appeared in People, Marie Claire, The Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun, news.com.au, Qantas magazine, QantasLink Spirit, Who and The New Daily.
Image: National NAIDOC logo. The 2024 National NAIDOC Poster incorporating the Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag (licensed by the Torres Strait Island Council)