NAIDOC Week is coming up from 5–12 July, and you can get involved by joining the NAIDOC in the South event on Wednesday 1 July.
Enjoy a march from Christies Beach’s Market Place Square (121 Beach Road), down Beach Road to Rotary Park, were you can celebrate with cultural activities, art, crafts, music and free food while connecting with others in Onkaparinga's vibrant community. Gather at 9:45am for the 10am march, with the Rotary Park celebrating taking place from 10:30am to 2pm.
Delivered by Neporendi Aboriginal Forum Incorporated, in partnership with the City of Onkaparinga and Neporendi Aboriginal Community Centre, with support from Joining Hands and Minds network members, NAIDOC in the South is an opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate NAIDOC Week.
NAIDOC (National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee) Week invites people to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It’s 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.
This year’s NAIDOC theme is Fifty Years of Deadly. It’s a tribute to the people who built this movement, the Elders who stood firm, the organisers who made space, the artists who turned resistance into expression, and the communities who keep showing up, year after year.
Separately, you can enjoy Stardust Identity, a separate art exhibition at Port Noarlunga’s Arts Centre from 19 June – 3 August featuring the works from First Nations women artists from the Muruwari, Warlpiri, Kokatha, Adnyamathanha, Wajarri Yamatji, Whadjuk Ballardong Nyoongar, Ngarrindjeri and Boandik tribal groups.
From the lens of strong resilient women artists, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander paintings and artefacts will be on display. They will take you on a visual journey of celebrating their lived experiences and how identity is an integral part of connection through belonging, healing spirits, cultural pride and the obligations of community through caring for country.
Two events are also being held at Onkaparinga's libraries during NAIDOC Week as part of Firstival - a month-long celebration throughout July, encouraging everyone younger, older and in-between, to try something new. Try your first Aboriginal art workshop with Spirit in Unity at Willunga Library (6 July) or discover your first bush tucker and First Nations artefacts at the Hub (5 July).