NAIDOC Week, being held from 7-14 July, serves as a chance for every Australian to engage with and appreciate the enduring heritage and traditions of our First Nations people.
This year's theme – Keep the fire burning! Blak, Loud and Proud – honours the enduring strength and vitality of First Nations culture.
The NAIDOC Week poster – called Urapun Muy which means 'One Fire' - was designed by artist Deb Belyea. Deb says the artwork “pays homage to Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal people everywhere, as we all have that one fire, our passion for our culture”.
You can show your support and get to know your local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities through activities and events being held across the country. Here are just some of the ways you can get involved.
NAIDOC SA March to Parliament House and Family Festival
12 July l Tarntanyangga (Victoria Square), Adelaide
This free event is among the biggest on the South Australian NAIDOC calendar. Gather at Tarntanyangga (Victoria Square) at 10:30am for an 11am start, to march down King William St to Parliament House. Following march, the NAIDOC Family Festival will be held at Adelaide Festival Plaza and Elder Park, from noon to 4pm. It will feature more than 50 stalls, children’s activities, amusement rides, food vendors and a free concert.
Sprigg Salon – Celebrating Adnyamathanha culture
17 July l South Australian Museum
Join Adnyamathanha artist Kristian Coulthard, Nukunu curator Dr Jared Thomas and writer Dr Darren Jorgensen as they discuss the latest exhibition at the SAMSTAG Museum of Art, Mulka Yata: The Knowledge of Place and the accompanying satellite display at the South Australian Museum. The panel will discuss the genesis and development of the exhibition while exploring the landscape and ecology encompassing Ikara-Flinders Ranges.
10 July l Art Gallery of South Australia
Celebrate NAIDOC with the soulful sounds of Katie Aspel in the Art Gallery's courtyard from 5pm and a screening of films Marungka Tjalatjunu (Dipped in Black) by Derik Lynch, Tambo by Travis Akbar and Black Time, White Time by Tammy Coleman-Zweck. There will also be a Q&A panel with host director, producer and screenwriter Aaron Faáoso and local South Australian filmmakers from 5–9pm. Food and drinks available for purchase.
Start at the Gallery: Ignite the Spirit
7 July l Art Gallery of South Australia
Families can celebrate NAIDOC Week with music from First Nations performers, workshops and cultural sharing circles with Kumarninthi, from 11am-3pm. Visitors can also wander through the gallery on a Kick Start tour or enjoy one of the many activities on offer including Evelyn Roth's colourful inflatable wonderland in the gallery's courtyard.
9 July l Rundle Mall
Celebrate under the Gawler Place Canopy from 10am with an official Kaurna Welcome to Country Ceremony and Smoking Ceremony, followed by the unveiling of an artwork by Aboriginal artists, Mali Isabel and Drew Kilner. This will be followed by live entertainment and activities from 10.30am-1.30pm, including live music, face painting and native food tasting.
For more information, visit the NAIDOC South Australia website.
