National NAIDOC Week

Sunday 5 July — Sunday 12 July

What is NAIDOC?

NAIDOC celebrations are held around Australia in the first full week in July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

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 become the name of the week itself.

The week is celebrated not just in the Indigenous community, but also in increasing numbers of government agencies, schools, local councils and workplaces.

NAIDOC celebrations are held around Australia in July each year to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.. It’s the ideal time for all of us to think about how we can help work towards bridging the gap of disadvantage and marginalisation experienced by many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The theme for NAIDOC Week in 2009 is “Honouring Our Elders, Nurturing Our Youth”. The theme encourages our communities to acknowledge the status of our Elders as leaders and role models for our youth.

NAIDOC Week Events at RMIT

Monday 6 July, 12.00 pm – 1.00 pm
Raising of Aboriginal flag and Smoking Ceremony – Deputy VC Prof Jim Barber
City Campus Flag Pole (next to Francis Ormond Statue, Building 1)

Monday 6 July – Friday 17 July, 10.00 am – 5.00 pm
Indigenous Art Show- “Spirit Tree: A Visual Celebration of the Scarred Trees of Bundoora”
The School of Art Gallery, Building 2, Bowen St, City campus

Monday 6 July – Friday 10 July, 8.00 am – 5.00 pm
RMIT Indigenous books library displays
Carlton Library, Swanston Library, Bundoora Library

Tuesday 7 July, 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm
Public Lecture by Professor Mark Minchinton followed by Indigenous Afternoon Tea
Kaleide Theatre, Building 8, Level 2, City campus
RSVP by Friday 3 July to events@rmit.edu.au (please write ‘NAIDOC Lecture’ in subject line)

Thursday 9 July, 12:15 pm – 4:30 pm
Heritage Walk and Afternoon Tea
Begins at Ngarara Willim Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Centre Building12, Level 4, Room 29, (near the HUB,Lesley Clucas Lounge)
RSVP by Friday 3 July to events@rmit.edu.au (please write ‘Heritage Walk’ in subject line)

Related links
National NAIDOC web site
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