NAIDOC Week - 50 years: Looking Forward, Looking Blak

19 Jun 2007 - Jason Murnane

In 2007, the national theme for NAIDOC week is; 50 years: Looking Forward, Looking Blak.

This years celebration focus city is Darwin, in the Northern Territory.

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.

In 2007, a record 71 Indigenous Players feature on AFL clubs lists.

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.

Here's a list of some ways your community, school or office can celebrate NAIDOC:

• Have a flag raising ceremony.
• Display Indigenous posters around your class room.
• Invite local Indigenous elders to speak at your school.
• Listen to Indigenous music.
• Study a famous Indigenous Australian.
• Find out about the traditional Indigenous owners of your area.
• Study Aboriginal arts and crafts.
• Read a Dreamtime story.
• Start your own Indigenous Hall of Fame featuring any local role models and achievers.
• Make your own Aboriginal art.
• Visit Indigenous websites on the Internet.
• Make your own Indigenous trivia quiz.
• Visit local Indigenous sites of significance or interest.
• Learn the meanings of local or national Aboriginal place names.

NAIDOC week celebrations culminate in an awards ceremony and ball held in the focus city - in 2007 the National NAIDOC Awards and Ball will be held at SkyCity Casino, Darwin on Black Friday, 13 July 2007.

At the ball, national awards are given to Indigenous achievers in a number of categories.

Wherever you live, taking part in NAIDOC Week is a great way to celebrate Indigenous culture and build bridges between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

For more information on NAIDOC week, please click here.

In 2007, a record 71 Indigenous Players feature on AFL club lists

	Click here for a copy of the NAIDOC week 2007 poster 462kb www.naidoc.org.au