Celebrating NAIDOC WEEK

National NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday).

In 2022, that’s from the 3rd July to the 10th July.

NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee.

Its origins can be traced back to the 1920s when Aboriginal groups sought to increase awareness in the wider community of the status and treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!

This is the theme for National NAIDOC Week 2022.  It speaks to all of us in different ways.

It may include supporting environmental, cultural and heritage protections, constitutional change or calling out racism. It could mean connecting with your local mob, Elders or communities, and honouring those who have led change for equal rights and basic human rights.

How can you celebrate NAIDOC Week?

• The 2022 National NAIDOC Week Poster was designed by Ryhia Dank, a young Gudanji/Wakaja artist from the Northern Territory. She won the prestigious poster competition with her entry, ‘Stronger’.

Image source: https://www.naidoc.org.au/posters/2022-poster

Learn more about Rhyia and download her posters to proudly display for residents, staff and visitors at your home.

• Organise for a local Elder or speaker to visit your organisation to share knowledge about the local environment, history and ceremonies, to facilitate a better understanding. Explore these websites to find out more:

Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council

NSW Aboriginal Land Council

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have made a difference

• Cooking and gardening are ideal ways to support residents to engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage:
• Invite an expert to talk about native bush foods and how to grow them in your organisation’s kitchen garden.
• Prepare delicious foods using native bush foods – here are two great recipes to get your started!

Lemon Myrtle Melting Moments|Maggie Beer Foundation

Gubinge Bark|Maggie Beer Foundation

• Find out what other organisations around Australia are doing to celebrate the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth:

Local NAIDOC Week events

• Access Altura Learning’s course “Caring for Indigenous Australians” – This course introduces your learners to some of the unique care needs of residents and clients at two organisations – Elders Village at Davoren Park, SA and Yaandina Aged Care Centre at Roebourne, WA.