Have you ever seen a map of Australia? You might know it as a country with six states and two main territories. But did you know there’s another map of Australia? This one shows the land as it was known by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the first people to live in Australia. This map is colorful because it represents the many different Indigenous language, tribal, or nation groups that have been part of Australia’s history for thousands of years.
With so many Indigenous groups, there’s a lot to learn and celebrate. One special time for this is NAIDOC Week. NAIDOC Week happens during the first full week of July and is a time to celebrate the history, culture, and achievements of Indigenous Australians, both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. It all started back in 1938 when people marched in Sydney to demand equal rights for Indigenous Australians. This event was called the Day of Mourning and was one of the first big civil rights gatherings in the world.
For many years, the Day of Mourning was held on the Sunday before Australia Day in January. Later, it became known as Aborigines Day. In 1955, the date was changed to the first Sunday of July to make it a positive celebration of Indigenous cultures. The committee officially became NAIDOC in 1957, and in 1991, it included Torres Strait Islanders in its name.
NAIDOC Week is packed with fun and meaningful activities. Across Australia, towns and cities host events to bring people together and celebrate Indigenous cultures. You might see traditional music, dance, and ceremonies, along with modern Indigenous cultural events.
Schools also join in the celebrations. They might invite Indigenous elders to speak to students, organize performances, hold smoking ceremonies, or create art projects that honor Australia’s Indigenous identity.
One of the highlights of NAIDOC Week is the National NAIDOC Awards ceremony. This event celebrates the amazing contributions that Indigenous people make to the Australian community.
During NAIDOC Week, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags are proudly flown all over Australia. This is a way to recognize and celebrate Indigenous identities and to build understanding and relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
You can be a part of NAIDOC Week too! Maybe your class can learn about the Indigenous groups in your area and host cultural activities. It’s a great opportunity for everyone to come together and enjoy learning about the rich history and culture of Australia’s Indigenous peoples.
Explore the Indigenous map of Australia and create your own version. Use different colors to represent various Indigenous language, tribal, or nation groups. Share your map with the class and discuss what you learned about the diversity of Indigenous cultures.
Work with your classmates to organize a mini NAIDOC Week celebration. Plan activities such as traditional music, dance, or art projects. Invite a local Indigenous elder to speak about their culture and experiences.
Research the history of NAIDOC Week and its significance. Create a presentation or poster that explains how NAIDOC Week started and how it has evolved over the years. Share your findings with the class.
Design a flag that represents what NAIDOC Week means to you. Use symbols and colors that reflect the celebration of Indigenous cultures and achievements. Present your flag to the class and explain its meaning.
Pair up with a classmate and research an Indigenous group from a different part of Australia. Share your findings with each other and discuss the similarities and differences between the groups you studied. This will help you appreciate the rich diversity of Indigenous cultures.
**Warning:** Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that the following video may contain images of people who have died.
Do you recognize this country? Yep, this is Australia, and it’s probably the version you’re most familiar with—with six states and two major territories. But what about this map? Yep, this is Australia too. For thousands of years, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who are the original inhabitants of Australia, occupied the land with very different boundaries. The colors on this map actually represent all the different Indigenous language, tribal, or nation groups.
With so many different Indigenous groups as part of Australia’s past and present, there is so much to learn and celebrate. One of the times we do this is during NAIDOC Week. NAIDOC Week is a week-long celebration held during the first full week of July. It celebrates the history, culture, and achievements of Indigenous Australians, both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
So, what is NAIDOC? NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. The roots of NAIDOC Week can be traced back to 1938 when protesters marched through Sydney streets, rallying for the equal treatment and status of Indigenous Australians. This protest became iconic because it was one of the first significant civil rights gatherings in the world. It is remembered as the Day of Mourning.
The Day of Mourning became an annually held event for many years, falling on the Sunday before Australia Day in January. Eventually, it became known as Aborigines Day. However, in 1955, Aborigines Day was moved from January to the first Sunday of July because it was thought that Aborigines Day should not serve just as a protest but also as a positive celebration of Indigenous cultures and histories. At this point, NAIDOC still didn’t exist. It wasn’t until 1957 that the National Aborigines Day Observance Committee officially formed.
Do you notice anything missing? Yep, there’s no “E.” The committee officially changed its name to NAIDOC to recognize Torres Strait Islanders in 1991, and that’s the name we continue to use today.
Now that you know the history, let’s take a look at some of the things that happen during NAIDOC Week. It’s always a super busy time filled with fun celebrations and activities. All around Australia, towns and cities hold events to bring communities together and celebrate Indigenous cultures and achievements. You’ll see traditional music, dance, ceremonies, as well as celebrations of contemporary Indigenous culture too.
Many schools get involved as well. Many invite Indigenous elders to come and talk to students and organize lots of great activities. Some schools have performances, some have beautiful smoking ceremonies, some have morning teas, and some create big works of art to commemorate Australia’s Indigenous identity.
Another important event is the National NAIDOC Awards ceremony, which is held every year to recognize and celebrate the outstanding contributions that Indigenous people have made to the Australian community.
And how could you miss this? During NAIDOC Week, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags are proudly hoisted into the air all around Australia to recognize and celebrate Indigenous identities. NAIDOC Week is a wonderful way to encourage deeper understanding and 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.
And you can get involved! Maybe your class can learn about the Indigenous groups around your area and host some great cultural activities that you and members from your community can come together and enjoy.
NAIDOC – NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee, which celebrates the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia. – Every year, NAIDOC Week is celebrated with various activities and events to honor Indigenous cultures and histories.
Australia – Australia is a country and continent located in the Southern Hemisphere, known for its diverse landscapes and rich history. – Australia has a unique history that includes the stories of its Indigenous peoples and the impact of European colonization.
Indigenous – Indigenous refers to the original inhabitants of a region, particularly the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia. – Indigenous communities in Australia have a deep connection to the land and their cultural traditions.
History – History is the study of past events, particularly in human affairs. – Learning about history helps us understand how past events have shaped the world we live in today.
Culture – Culture refers to the beliefs, customs, arts, and way of life of a particular group of people. – The culture of Indigenous Australians includes storytelling, art, music, and dance that have been passed down through generations.
Celebrations – Celebrations are special events or activities held to honor or commemorate something significant. – During NAIDOC Week, there are many celebrations that highlight the achievements and contributions of Indigenous Australians.
Rights – Rights are the freedoms and entitlements that individuals have in a society. – The fight for equal rights has been an important part of history for many Indigenous communities around the world.
Awards – Awards are recognitions given to individuals or groups for their achievements or contributions. – NAIDOC Awards are presented to Indigenous Australians who have made outstanding contributions to their communities.
Ceremonies – Ceremonies are formal events held on special occasions, often with cultural or religious significance. – Indigenous ceremonies often include traditional dances and songs that have been performed for thousands of years.
Identity – Identity is the sense of who a person is, including their culture, beliefs, and values. – Understanding one’s identity can be important for connecting with cultural heritage and community.
