NAIDOC WEEK

Get involved with your local community to ensure your event is respectful and meaningful.

Connecting with local NAIDOC committees and land councils helps align your celebration with the wishes of Elders and the community, fostering a sense of unity and respect.

You can find a list of local NAIDOC Committees at: https://www.naidoc.org.au/local-naidoc-committees

• Invite local Elders to participate or give a Welcome to Country at your event
• Organise a smoking ceremony

Begin your event with an authentic Acknowledgement of Country. Acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land fosters respect and awareness.

• Involve children in understanding its significance, encouraging them to participate or create their own acknowledgements
• Use our child-friendly acknowledgment of Country to help guide you

Take a look at these resources to help you prepare your Acknowledgment.

How to Acknowledge Country
Bronte Charles

Deliver an Acknowledgement of Country
Shelley Reys

Decorate your event with the NAIDOC Week posters and other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artworks.

The 2024 National NAIDOC Week Poster, created by Deborah (Deb) Belyea, beautifully captures the theme "Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud." Titled ‘Urapun Muy’ (One Fire), the artwork pays homage to Torres Strait Islanders and Aboriginal people everywhere. It depicts hands placing an ember into a fire, symbolising the transfer of cultural knowledge and the enduring strength of Indigenous cultures.

Deb, a proud member of the Samuawgadhalgal, (pronounced Sum-oo-ow-guth-ull-gull), Cassowary Clan, educator and artist, has crafted a piece that resonates deeply with the NAIDOC spirit of pride, unity, and cultural celebration.

Make sure to take a look at the NAIDOC website to read more about Deb Belyea and to download the poster. They also have a great selection of resources to help you plan your event.

Create a playlist for your event featuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians.

Here are some songs our staff have been listening to

Host story time for children and families or set up a reading corner with storybooks by First Nations authors. Reading books by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authors helps children appreciate diverse perspectives and fosters a love for storytelling.

• Organise a reading of First Nations storybooks
• Invite local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders, artists, and storytellers to share their knowledge, stories, and traditions

Celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dance and music. Consider partnering with First Nations artists or organisations to facilitate activities such as:

• Dance performance
  Organise a performance by local Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander dance groups. Alternatively, take a look at Bangarra's digital streaming options
• Dance class
  Organise a dance workshop from First Nations dancers.
  Online resources are also available, such as this one from Playschool
• Live music
  Invite local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians to perform

• Engage local Indigenous artists to lead an arts and craft session
  
• Provide materials for children to create their own storybooks, zines, or art, inspired by what they’ve heard and learned on though out the day
• learn traditional weaving methods from local First Nations artists

Learn about local ecosystems and the cultural significance of the natural environment.

• Create a scavenger hunt with items commonly found in your local ecosystems
• Arrange guided nature walks led by local community members who can share insights about the land
• Create opportunities for children to learn about the importance of caring for the environment

Feel free to use the one we have put together as inspiration

Explore the diverse flavors and cultural stories behind Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander foods. This can be a fun way to introduce new cultural practices and tastes.

• Organise catering from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander-owned restaurants or cafes
• Encourage families to bring some food using native ingredients like bush tomatoes, wattleseed, and finger limes
• Invite families to bring a dish from their own culture to share, fostering a sense of community and cultural exchange

Ensure your event is accessible for everyone.

• Provide clear signage, consider the needs of families with young children
• Provide families with resources they can take home to continue learning about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. This could include book lists, craft ideas, and information about local Indigenous groups
• Offer resources in multiple languages if possible