What is NAIDOC Week?

NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life. The week is a great opportunity to participate in a range of activities and to support your local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

NAIDOC originally stood for ‘National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee’. This committee was once responsible for organising national activities during NAIDOC Week and its acronym has since become the name of the week itself. Find out more about the origins and history of NAIDOC Week. Please visit the NAIDOC Week website for more about the history of NAIDOC week as well as events in your area.

What is this year’s theme?

Each year, a theme is chosen to reflect the important issues and events for NAIDOC Week. This year’s theme is ‘Heal Country’. Country is inherent to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identity. It sustains their lives in every aspect – spiritually, physically, emotionally, socially, and culturally. This theme calls for stronger measures to recognise, protect, and maintain all aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. Healing Country means embracing the First Nation’s cultural knowledge and understanding of Country as part of Australia’s national heritage. 

The 2021 National NAIDOC Poster, titled ‘Care for Country’, was designed by Gubbi Gubbi artist Maggie-Jean Douglas. Using the 2021 NAIDOC Week theme as inspiration, ‘Care for Country’ is a bright and vibrant artwork which explores how Country has cared for and healed First Nations people spiritually, physically, emotionally, socially and culturally.

AIYA Involvement in NAIDOC Week 2021

AIYA National is the most significant voice for youth in the Australia-Indonesia relationship. We are involved in promoting the cultures and connections between Australia and Indonesia in the fields of education, academia, travel, language and culture. Our Indigenous Special Committee: Kumpul aims to increase engagement and awareness between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians and Indonesians through various events and programs.

To celebrate NAIDOC Week this year, Kumpul is holding four different events:

  • First Nations Bookclub
  • NAIDOC Week Trivia Night (11th July)
  • Cooking video ft. Aunty Dale
  • As Worlds Divide Film Festival (various dates)

Keep a lookout on our social media this week for more information on these events!