03 July 2014

Australia's NAIDOC Week to be launched in Port Moresby

The Australian High Commission will launch NAIDOC Week on Monday 7 July, celebrating the history, culture and achievements of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The launch will feature a performance by Myungu Koekaper, a dance group from Saibai Island in the Torres Strait less than four kilometres from PNG. The Australian Government is sponsoring the group’s participation in the Melanesian Festival of Arts and Culture.

Australia’s High Commissioner to PNG Ms Deborah Stokes said: “NAIDOC week is an opportunity to recognise the contributions that Indigenous Australians make to our country and our society.

“It’s a time to acknowledge our Indigenous artists, scholars, sportspeople, elders, community members and more.”

Ms Stokes said NAIDOC Week was also an opportunity to recognise that Australia has a way to go to address the disadvantage faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

“The Australian Government is committed to better engagement with its Indigenous peoples to ensure policies and programmes improve their lives and opportunities,” Ms Stokes said.

This year’s NAIDOC Week theme, ‘Serving Country: Centenary and Beyond’, honours all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who have fought in defence of Australia.

“We proudly highlight and recognise the role they have played in shaping Australia’s identity and pause to reflect on their sacrifice. We celebrate and honour their priceless contribution to our nation,” Ms Stokes said.

NAIDOC originally stood for ‘National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee’. This committee was once responsible for organising national activities during NAIDOC Week.