NAIDOC WEEK
NAIDOC WEEK For thousands of years Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, our original inhabitants occupied the land. With so many different indigenous groups as part of our past and present, there is so much to learn and celebrate. One of the times we do this is during NAIDOC Week. It is held in the first week of July. It celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Indigenous Australians, both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. In NAIDOC week, all around Australia, towns and cities hold events to bring communities together to celebrate indigenous cultures and achievements. You’ll see traditional music, dance, ceremonies as well as celebrations of contemporary indigenous culture too. Schools also get involved. NAIDOC week is a wonderful way to encourage deeper understandings and to develop relationships between indigenous and non-indigenous people, right across Australia. It helps to build a bridge between the wrongs of the past and the hope for the future. We have been exploring our indigenous identity in classes by learning about indigenous groups around our area. And we always proudly fly our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags in our school yard to recognise and celebrate indigenous identities.