MEDIA RELEASE
2 July 2009
For immediate release
NAIDOC Week 2009
The Australian High Commission is planning an exciting range of activities to celebrate this year’s NAIDOC Week.
NAIDOC Week is the annual event held across Australia and internationally to showcase the history, culture, achievements and contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to Australia.
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 since become the name of the week itself.
“This year’s NAIDOC celebrations run from 5-12 July, under the theme “Honouring our elders, nurturing our youth”, said the Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, His Excellency Mr Chris Moraitis.
“The theme encourages our communities to acknowledge the status of our elders as leaders and role models for our youth”.
NAIDOC Week provides a special opportunity each year for Indigenous Australians to promote their history and culture. It is also an opportunity for non-Indigenous Australians and others around the world, to learn about, reflect upon and acknowledge the unique contribution of Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Indigenous cultures in Australia are extremely rich and diverse and Indigenous people have significant involvement across many fields, including the arts, media, academia, sport and business.
“These days, NAIDOC Week is celebrated not just in the Indigenous community, but also in increasing numbers of government agencies, schools, local councils and workplaces. Indeed, the Australian Government has supported national NAIDOC celebrations for many years,” Mr Moraitis said.
“Part of our role here at the High Commission is to show our friends and colleagues in PNG the unique contribution of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and this year I am pleased to say we are coordinating a broad range of NAIDOC Week activities”.
NAIDOC information display
The Australian High Commission will host a display featuring a range of indigenous artworks, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags, indigenous information material such as posters and books as well as indigenous short films, music and other educational activities.
The display will be located in the foyer of the Australian High Commission, Godwit Road, Waigani and is open to the public. Interested people or groups can visit the display from 9am until 3pm each day from Monday 6 July to Friday 10 July.
Indigenous book donations
A suite of Indigenous resource materials, including books and DVDs are being donated to the National Library and the Michael Somare Library at the University of Papua New Guinea. (See separate media alert for details)
School engagement
Consistent with this year’s NAIDOC Week theme, NCD schools are invited to bring their students to visit the NAIDOC display at the High Commission but must contact the High Commission first to schedule a suitable time.
Information relating to NAIDOC Week has also been sent to all NCD primary schools for inclusion in their school newsletters.
Indigenous films and music
EMTV will screen Crocodile Dreaming and The Apology on 'The World Around Us' on Wednesday 8 July. NBC has also agreed to play a variety of Indigenous music throughout NAIDOC Week.
For further information about NAIDOC Week visit:
Media Inquiries: Jason Mills on 325 9333 ext 275 or 7683 9811 or email [email protected]
Additional information
Crocodile Dreaming - Synopsis
Crocodile Dreaming is the story of two estranged half-brothers, Burrimmilla and Charlie, who must struggle against their own jealousy and distrust for each other. When there is a violent death in the community upsetting the spiritual world, Burrimmilla is unexpectedly called upon to fulfill an ancient tribal obligation. As a result he embarks on a journey to find the sacred stone which holds the power of his mother's dreaming. If he finds the stone, he must return it to its secret belonging place. When the brothers finally come together, they are confronted by the spirit of their mother, who leads them to the special creation place, and the possibility of restoring peace and harmony in the natural world.
The Apology - Synopsis
The apology to the Stolen Generations by the Australian Parliament on 13 February 2008 was a powerful and memorable moment in Australia’s history, for indigenous and non-indigenous people alike. The Apology begins two days before the historic event as people began to gather in Canberra. It includes interviews, stories and many special moments including the first Welcome to Country in the Federal Parliament. The film captures the anticipation on a thousand faces as Prime Minister Kevin Rudd delivers the apology, and then the spontaneous outpouring of emotion all around the country.
Attachments:
NAIDOC Week 2009 official poster
Aboriginal Flag
Torres Strait Islander Flag
DFAT Fact Sheet - Indigenous Peoples - an overview