How to celebrate NAIDOC Week in Canberra
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Voice. Treaty. Truth.
These are the three pillars of NAIDOC Week 2019, our national week of celebration of the history, culture, achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Across Canberra from 8-14 July, you can learn the stories of some of our most celebrated Indigenous Australians, discover bush tucker ingredients, celebrate the achievements of Indigenous military service people, view contemporary Aboriginal art and more.
Here are some ideas for your calendar.
NAIDOC WEEK: INSPIRING VOICES AT THE NFSA
Celebrate NAIDOC Week with films about two inspirational Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander figures, Adam Goodes and Ella Havelka.
With Ian Darling film ‘The Final Quarter’ and Douglas Watkin film ‘Ella’ to be played and followed by a panel discussion with special guests. Ella Havelka follows with a Q & A.
12 – 14 July | National Film and Sound Archive, McCoy Circuit, Acton | nfsa.gov.au
QUEANBEYAN NAIDOC BOORI AND FAMILY FUN DAY
NAIDOC Boori and Family Fun Day is a FREE event for the whole community.
Free entry, Free food, Entertainment, Cultural Activities, sporting clinics, Inflatables, Bush Tucker tasting and Education, Stalls, A photo Booth, Lucky Door Prizes and more.
Thursday 11 July from 10 am – 2 pm | QPRC Indoor Sports, 1 Yass Road, Queanbeyan | qprc.nsw.gov.au/Events/NAIDOC-Boori-Fun-Day
BOFFIN GOES BUSH – IN RECOGNITION OF NAIDOC WEEK
Boffins like to focus on local and seasonal ingredients and there is nothing more local than the native edible plants grown for centuries on our land.
In recognition of NAIDOC week, Boffins are looking back at the grassroots of Australian foods and marry up the Boffins menu with some added flavours of Bush peppers, Kurrajong seeds, Peppermint gum and many more.
To add to the experience, Adam Shipp, Canberra’s Indigenous gardener, will provide valuable insights on native foods, medicine and growing your own bush foods.
Experience a night of fusion between modern and native Australian flavours in a 5-dish sharing style dinner with accompanying beverages and learn about Australia’s rich food heritage along the way.
Thursday 11 July from 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm | Boffins, University House | unihouse.anu.edu.au
HANDS ON HISTORY
What do servicemen and servicewomen wear? What do they eat? What jobs do they do?
This exciting hands-on history programs answer these questions and many more. Try on uniforms, handle real items, and hear incredible stories of Australians in wartime at Hands on History at the Australian War Memorial.
During NAIDOC week (8-11 July) discovery stories will focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who served their country.
Until 19 July | the Australian War Memorial | awm.gov.au
Country Illuminated
Country Illuminated is an exhibition of paintings by Leah Brideson in celebration of NAIDOC Week.
Leah Brideson is a descendant of the Kamilaroi people from the Gunnedah region, as well as being a self-taught Contemporary Aboriginal Artist based in Canberra.
Leah’s artworks are a ‘Visual Yarn’. Leah paints stories from her knowledge of country, her culture and her dreaming.
Most of Leah’s artistic vision and inspiration comes from the changing landscapes in her home town, on country and from her journeys to ocean country and beyond.
Leah uses layers of fine dotting, line work, colour gradients, Aboriginal symbolism and her signature style of ‘cracked earth’ landscape throughout her paintings.
This series explores seasonal change in the sense of the way country is illuminated throughout the seasons, the physical change in the environment and the importance of Leah’s connection to country across a multitude of landscapes.
Happening until 19 July | Exhibition open 9 am – 5 pm every day | Belconnen Community Gallery, Belconnen Community Centre, Swanson Court, Belconnen
NAIDOC In the North
NAIDOC in the North is a celebration of the strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture through songs, stories, dance, art and ceremony.
Everyone is welcome at this free, family-friendly event which will also feature children’s activities and entertainment throughout the day.
Visitors to the festival will be able to enjoy a program of drop-in workshops that will enable Indigenous participants to practice or revive traditional skills alongside Non-Indigenous participants. The day’s program will provide opportunities for connection between people through cultural exchange, building understanding, appreciation and celebration of the region’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through real lived experiences.
Presented in partnership by Belconnen Arts Centre, ACT Child and Family Centres, ACT Education Directorate, Belconnen Community Service, Uniting Care Kippax, Gungahlin College and Libraries ACT.
Saturday 13 July from 11 am – 2 pm | Gungahlin Town Square – Corner of Gozzard and Hibberson Streets, Gungahlin
Indigenous experiences of Parliament House
Hear the stories of Indigenous parliamentarians and staff, explore the site history of Parliament House and gain insights into how Australia’s First Peoples are participating in the nation’s democratic processes on these special NAIDOC tours.
12 – 14 July from 2.30 – 3.30 pm | Parliament House
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