Naidoc Week

By: Akon Angara

This week (4th-11th of July) is NAIDOC Week. It remains one of the most important weeks in Australia, with a detailed history and a strong relevance to our country today.

WHAT IS NAIDOC WEEK?

NAIDOC Week is a week dedicated to celebrate the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

NAIDOC Week is not only celebrated Indigenous, but by all Australians. It’s also a great opportunity to participate in a range of activities, and to support local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

THE HISTORY OF NAIDOC WEEK

The origins of NAIDOC WEEK can be traced all the way back to the 1920s, when Aboriginal groups sought to increase awareness, in the wider community, of the status and treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

1920-1930:

Before 1920, Aboriginal rights groups boycotted Australia Day in protest against the mistreatment of Indigenous Australians, however, they became aware that the movement needed to be active, as a majority of the Australian public remained ignorant about the boycotts.

Many organisations attempted to gain more traction to the movement, including both the Australian Aborigines Progressive Association (AAPA) and the Australian Aborigines League (AAL). However, their efforts were overlooked and the AAPA eventually abandoned their work due to police harassment.

William Cooper, who was the founder of the AAL, drafted a petition to send to King George V that asked for special Aboriginal electorates in Federal Parliament, but the Australian Government believed this request fell outside its constitutional responsibilities.

1938:

On Australia Day, protesters marched the streets of Sydney, and was one of the first major civil rights gatherings in the world. This would be known as the Day of Mourning.

Following this, a deputation led by William Cooper, presented Prime Minister Joseph Lyons with a national policy for Aboriginal people, which was once again rejected because the Government did not hold constitutional powers in relation to Indigenous people.

After the Day of Mourning, people agreed that it should become a regular event. As a result, William Cooper wrote to the National Missionary Council of Australia in 1939 to seek assistance in developing an annual event.

1940-1955:

From 1940 until 1955, the Day of Mourning was held annually on the Sunday before Australia Day and was known as Aborigines Day. In 1955, it was changed to the first Sunday in July, after it was decided that the day should not just be a protest day to Australia Day, but also a celebration of Aboriginal culture.

1956–1990:

Major Aboriginal organisations, state and federal governments, and a number of church groups all supported the formation of the National Aborigines [Aboriginals] Day Observance Committee (NADOC). The second Sunday in July also became a day of remembrance for Aboriginal people and their heritage.

In 1975, it was decided that the event should cover a week, from the first to second Sunday in July by the NADOC committee.

In 1984, NADOC asked that National Aborigines Day be made a national public holiday, to help celebrate and recognise the rich cultural history that makes Australia unique. This call has not yet been answered.

1991-PRESENT:

NADOC was expanded to recognise Torres Strait Islander peoples, and the committee then became known as the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC). This name has become the title of the week dedicated to celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and history.

Each year, a theme is chosen to reflect the important issues and events for NAIDOC Week.

WHAT IS THIS YEARS’ THEME FOR NAIDOC WEEK?

The theme for NAIDOC Week this year is Heal Country. It calls for stronger measures to recognise, protect, and maintain all aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage.

WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF NAIDOC WEEK?

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have one of the oldest and richest cultures on Earth. NAIDOC Week is one way to recognise the unique relationship Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have to the land we live on. Their cultures, lore, ceremonies and connections to land remain strong. We acknowledge the struggles they face, the rich history they have, as well as celebrate their culture.

You can get involved in NAIDOC Week in many different ways. This link provides 20 tips to get involved this year: https://www.naidoc.org.au/news/top-20-tips-get-involved-naidoc-week

Continuing to uplift Indigenous peoples, taking a part in NAIDOC Week, and learning Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history is only one of the many ways that we can be on a path to building a better Australia.

SOURCES

https://www.indigenous.gov.au/news-and-media/event/naidoc-week-2021

https://www.naidoc.org.au/about/history

https://www.naidoc.org.au/about/naidoc-week

https://www.naidoc.org.au/news/top-20-tips-get-involved-naidoc-week

https://www.naidoc.org.au/about/history

cover image: https://thesector.com.au/2021/06/28/naidoc-week-2021-is-on-the-way-how-will-your-service-help-to-heal-country/