This year, NAIDOC Week is running from November 8th to 15th.
This year, NAIDOC Week is running from November 8th to 15th.The 2020 theme of NAIDOC Week is ‘Always Was, Always Will Be.’ Many Rivers acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as custodians of traditional land and waters of Australia. We acknowledge and pay respect to them, their cultures and Elders past and present.
Through the Community Economic Development (CED) Program, Many Rivers supports Indigenous organisations across the country who are working to build businesses and create jobs for other communities.
“During NAIDOC Week, the communities get involved across the whole Hunter region. We all band together and have different projects and programs that we are doing. It is a good thing; we all celebrate across the Newcastle-Hunter region.” – Laurie Perry, CEO of Wonnarua Nation Aboriginal Corporation, a Many Rivers CED supported community in NSW.
About NAIDOC Week
NAIDOC Week celebrations are held around the country each year to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
NAIDOC Week originated from the Aboriginal Rights Movement and stands for ‘National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee.’ This was originally the committee responsible for organising national activities during NAIDOC Week. Now it is the name for the entire festival and it is an important week for all Australians to celebrate and engage with the unique and diverse cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
“Our uniqueness as the oldest continuing culture on the planet, and our 50,000 years of survival. It’s about sharing our culture, our stories and our proud history and the contribution that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have made to this nation. It’s got to be about non-Indigenous Australians saying “Yes… Australia is 50,000 plus years old…not just 245 years old!”
– John Paul Janke, Co-Chair of the National NAIDOC Committee
This year, most events will be held online to reduce social gathering, in-line with the recommendations from State and Federal Government. Make sure to take a look at these events.
Follow NAIDOC on Facebook or Instagram. For more information on NAIDOC Week, take a look at their website.
