Recognising connection to country this NAIDOC Week

NAIDOC Week, usually held each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, kicks off on Sunday 8 November after a delay due to Covid-19, with celebrations and ceremony across the country.

NAIDOC Week has come about after almost a century of protest and activism for the rights of Aboriginal people in Australia. What started as a day of protest and mourning early in the first half of the 1900s has evolved into a week of activities that highlight not only activism and a fight for rights, but also celebration and recognition.

This year’s theme, Always Was, Always Will Be. recognises that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years.

Council is helping recognise this important event with a Flag Raising and Recognition Ceremony at Dee Why attended by the Mayor and Councillors, members of the local Aboriginal community and Karen Smith from the Aboriginal Heritage Office.*

Our libraries are getting in the spirit, with displays of books by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island authors, books that recognise and celebrate their ancient culture and traditions as well as children’s and traditional stories.

Our youngest residents attending our childcare centres will spend the week on a curriculum focused on the themes celebrating and recognising the world’s oldest continuous culture.

Activities in childcare centres include learning about storytelling, art, music, food and language, reading dream time stories and watching dream time film, contributing to a display inspired by Indigenous culture and learning about the significance of the Acknowledgement of Country.

Find out more information and ways you can get involved in NAIDOC week through the Aboriginal Heritage Office or the NAIDOC website.

*Due to Covid restrictions, this event is not open to the public this year. We apologise for the inconvenience.