From the 3-10th July 2022, Australia will be celebrating NAIDOC Week. The celebration is a way for us to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
What Is NAIDOC Week?
A committee that was once responsible for the week and its events, the week was originally named NADOC, and stood for ‘National Aboriginal Day Observance Committee’. However, in 1991, the committee wished to recognise Torres Strait Islander people and culture, leaving the week to be renamed to NAIDOC, ‘National Aboriginal and Islanders Day Observance Committee’.
This year, NAIDOC Week begins on July 3 and is celebrated until its last day on Sunday, July 10.
The theme for 2022 is Get up! Stand up! Show up!, which ‘encourages everyone to champion institutional, structural, collaborative, and cooperative change while celebrating those who have already driven and led change in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities over generations.’
How Can You Support NAIDOC Week?
For those looking to share their support, there are multiple ways to get involved, whether it be shopping from Indigenous-owned small businesses or showing up at an event.
Show Your Support On Social Media
In celebration of the week, NAIDOC Week’s official Instagram is sharing banners and posters for those celebrating to update their profiles with. The account is also sharing local Indigenous-owned businesses to support and bringing together those who reside on different lands within the country.
And for those who post on social media, using the official NAIDOC Week hashtags #NAIDOC2022 and #healcountry is encouraged.
Support Indigenous-Owned Businesses
No matter whether it’s NAIDOC week or not, it’s always important to celebrate small businesses and First Nations peoples. For those looking to support businesses run by Indigenous entrepreneurs—or Indigenous charities and campaigns—be sure to keep a list on your radar all year around.
Head here to see our list of some incredible Indigenous-owned business to support.
How Can You Celebrate NAIDOC Week?
There is plenty to see and do all across Australia throughout NAIDOC Week, so for specific events, have a look here.
National Indigenous Art Fair
Taking place at The Overseas Passenger Terminal in The Rocks, Sydney, the National Indigenous Art Fair (NIAF) is an ethical marketplace, offering a unique opportunity to buy artworks directly from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from remote community-owned art centres from the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia.
For more details, head here.
NAIDOC Up Late
NAIDOC Up Late will see musical icon Mo’Ju (AKA Mojo Juju), rapper Ziggy Ramo, electro-pop duo AYA J and R&B electro pop artist Cloe Terare for an intimate evening of music to heal country on Barangaroo Reserve’s beautiful Walumil Lawn.
For more details, head here.
Sydney NAIDOC Ball
On the 9th July in Centennial Hall, Koori Radio is proudly presenting the Sydney NAIDOC Ball 2022, featuring a formal night of First Nations song, dance and a powerful celebration of blak excellence.
Hosted by the talented Bee Cruse and iconic Munki Muk, guests can walk the red carpet and be entertained by an incredible line-up of First Nations performers supported by a 16 piece ensemble orchestra.
For more details, head here.
NAIDOC Wild Foods And Cultural Festival
The third annual NAIDOC event takes place in Southern Queensland and will features a line up of talented Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists (last year saw Australia’s Got Talent alum Chris Tamwoy). The day will also feature a menu and tours of traditional bush tucker food, live cultural demonstrations and workshops, tourism information tents, market stalls, food trucks, and tons of free family entertainment for the kids including arts and crafts, games and face and boomerang painting to name a few.
For more details, head here.