Born from the activism of the Aboriginal Rights Movement, Naidoc Week is a national, week-long event for all peoples to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
In the past, the ‘National Aborigines [sic] and Islanders Day Observance Committee’ was responsible for organising the events of Naidoc Week. Now the acronym has become the name of the event itself.
You can learn more about the history of Naidoc Week here.
This year Naidoc Week focused on the theme Heal Country, and called for the recognition, protection and maintenance of all aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.
Speaking on the theme, the Noongar man and AFL player Neville Jetta powerfully summarised that “we look at it more holistically. It’s not just Country. We are, as Indigenous people, a part of Country.”
But this work should not be confined to a single week – here are some of the ways you can stay connected with the theme of Heal Country.
Learn
Finding Our Heart
Written by Thomas Mayor (Torres Strait Islander), Finding Our Heart shows young readers that understanding the nation’s past is important so that together we can have a shared future.
Fire Country by Victor Steffensen
Written by the Tagalaka man and fire practitioner Victor Steffensen, Fire Country explores how the revival of Indigenous fire practices could help to restore our nation for all peoples.
Frontier War Stories
Hosted by the Gamilaraay and Kooma man Boe Spearim, this podcast is dedicated to truth-telling about a side of Australia that has been left out of the history books.
Sea Country
Written by the Pairebeenne Trawlwoolway woman Aunty Patsy Cameron, Sea Country is a good pick for young readers who love playing outside. Sea Country shares stories about collecting shells, fishing, seeing the moon (mutton) birds fly home, and picking wild cherries in lutruwita (Tasmania).
Traditional Healers of the Central Desert: Ngangkari
Ngangkari are the healers of the people of Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara. Through stories, photography and artwork, this book provides an insight into the history, wisdom and knowledge of ngangkari.
Explore
Garramilla (Darwin)
Pudakul Aboriginal Cultural Tours: No one knows how to navigate croc country with safety and respect better than traditional custodians. Pudakul Aboriginal Cultural Tours, an Indigenous-owned and operated business, offers experiences showcasing everything from ancient rock art to the region’s abundant wetlands. Each is a chance to listen to local Aboriginal peoples and learn about the customs, traditions and bushlife of the region.
Meanjin (Brisbane)
BlackCard Cultural Tours: Explore the Aboriginal history, art and native food of Meanjin in a guided cultural tour, with options to visit local galleries and public art sights, or wander through a bush food trail in the middle of the city.
Eora Nation (Sydney)
Barangaroo Cultural Tours: When lockdown ends, learn about the history, culture and practices of the Eora Nation in a guided cultural tour of the Barangaroo Reserve – the six hectare headland’s regeneration has resulted in the densest variety of native flora in Sydney.
Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country (Canberra)
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art gallery: A visit to the National Gallery of Australia offers a great opportunity to learn about the diversity of art practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. The collection includes shields, beadwork, larrakitj (memorial poles), photographs, paintings and more.
Kulin Nation (Melbourne)
Aboriginal Heritage Walk: For those in the city, the Royal Botanic Gardens provides an opportunity to learn about Aboriginal plant use, customs and connection to Country through a guided walk of the Gardens. Afterwards, pick up some local plants from the Gardens’ shop, and help restore habitat in your own backyard. For inspiration, look to the Gundungurra community, who are doing this on a larger scale.
Kaurna Country (Adelaide)
Living Kaurna Cultural Centre: The Living Kaurna Cultural Centre hosts a range of cultural tours, workshops and events including weaving workshops and guided tours of the Warriparinga area. You can also take a walk or bike ride through the Warriparinga Wetlands and learn about the cultural and environmental features of the area from the interpretive signs.
Lutruwita (Tasmania)
Wukalina Walk: Take a four-day guided hike to learn about Country, traditional foods, cultural practices, history and the strong community of lutruwita.
Boorloo (Perth)
This City is Whadjuk Country: Take yourself on a self-guided tour around Boorloo to learn about the history of the area.
Email: sign up for our daily morning and afternoon email newsletters
App: download our free app and never miss the biggest stories
Social: follow us on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook or Twitter
Podcast: listen to our daily episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or search "Full Story" in your favourite app
Give
Firesticks Alliance Indigenous Corporation
Firesticks is an Indigenous-led network that facilitates cultural learning pathways about fire and land management with the goal of reinvigorating the use of cultural burning.
Kinchela Boys Home Aboriginal Corporation
Kinchela Boys Home provides support services for survivors of the home and their families, as well as referral support for other New South Wales stolen generations survivors.
Our Islands, Our Home
Zenadth Kes (the Torres Strait Islands) is on the frontlines of climate change. The Our Islands Our Home campaign supports the Torres Strait 8 in their case against the federal government to the United Nations on its inaction on climate change.
Seed Mob
A network of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth, and a branch of the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, Seed Mob is working to build a movement for climate justice.
Stay in the loop
Take an active interest in Indigenous news across all your platforms – read, watch and follow Indigenous creators, publications and broadcasters.
Olivia Williams is the founder of @blakbusiness
