NAIDOC Week—Australia’s annual celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ history, culture and achievements—kicks off this Sunday 2 July, and you can get involved with a range of Onkaparinga events (details below).
National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday), providing an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories, and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on Earth.
The theme of NAIDOC Week for 2023 is For Our Elders—learn more about the theme at the NAIDOC Week website.
Southern Deadly Fun Run/Walk
On Sunday 2 July, you can take part in the free Southern Deadly Fun Run/Walk, also at Christies Beach, with options including a 3km walk or run, or a 5km run.
It’s free to register, with everyone getting a medal, and it’s suitable for all ages and abilities—Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people welcome—including those with wheelchairs, dogs on leashes, and prams!
Registrations begin at 9:30am, with a welcome and warm-up at 10am, followed by the walk/run at 10:30am, and a community barbecue to follow.
Come along for a fun day out with the brilliant southern community, walking and running on Kaurna Country along Onkaparinga’s magical coastline. Meet the Southern Deadly Fun Run representatives, find out how you can get involved with The Indigenous Marathon Foundation, and hear about opportunities to represent the community at the national championships in 2024.
Family Fun Day and March
On Wednesday 5 July (10am to 2pm), you can enjoy the free 2023 NAIDOC in the South Family Fun Day and March in Christies Beach, featuring a march down Beach Road followed by family fun in Rotary Park, with a focus on dance, music, art and craft, cultural activities, First Nations businesses being showcased, free food, and more.
Presented by Neporendi Aboriginal Forum Inc. in partnership with the City of Onkaparinga, and with the support of Joining Hands and Minds Network members and funding by National Indigenous Australians Agency, the march starts at 10am at 121 Beach Road, with the family fun day starting at 11am at Rotary Park.
Southern Country Muster
Hackham West Community Centre is hosting its NAIDOC Week Southern Country Muster on Thursday 6 July (11am to 2pm), which includes a free three-course lunch, live music, karaoke and a heap of fun activities.
Free tickets are limited and must be booked by Wednesday 28 June (unless they’re sold out prior) for catering purposes.
The Last Daughter film screening
On Thursday 6 July (6–8pm), you can watch a free film screening of The Last Daughter at Woodcroft Library (register your free spot via this link). The Last Daughter is a documentary feature about Brenda’s journey to uncover the truth about her past and reconcile the two sides of her family.
Brenda’s first memories were of growing up in a loving white foster family, before she was suddenly taken away and returned to her Aboriginal family.
Decades later, she feels disconnected from both halves of her life. But the traumas of her past do not lie quietly buried. So, she goes searching for the foster family with whom she had lost all contact.
Along the way she uncovers long-buried secrets, government lies, and the possibility for deeper connections to family and culture.
NAIDOC Week 2023 Mayor’s Reception
This year, City of Onkaparinga Mayor Were has been working with members of the Southern Elders Group, Neporendi Aboriginal Forum Incorporated, and community to develop this year’s NAIDOC Mayor’s Reception.
The reception will invite Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student leaders from local schools to discuss local government systems, and for Elders to discuss precolonial governance and decision-making structures to encourage young people to learn from their Elders, and learn how their voices can be heard for positive change as young leaders in our community.