NAIDOC Week: Unsung Heroes – Closing the Gap by Leading Their Way

The Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, today welcomed the start of the National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week with an announcement of $1.9 million to support community events across Australia.

NAIDOC Week is a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and an opportunity for all Australians to recognise the contributions of Indigenous people in various fields.

The theme of this year’s NAIDOC Week is Unsung Heroes – Closing the Gap by Leading Their Way.

The theme highlights the contributions of the quiet achievers in Indigenous communities, the leaders who are paving the way for other Indigenous people to determine their own futures.

Concerts, family fun days, art exhibitions, and flag raising ceremonies are among the hundreds of local events that are being organised throughout Australia to celebrate NAIDOC Week.

Since the National Apology, there has been an outpouring of good will to build strong relationships grounded in respect and mutual trust.

The Australian Parliament recently incorporated a Welcome to Country into formal proceedings.

The Welcome to Country will take place at the opening of a new Parliament, after each Federal election. It recognises the role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as custodians of the oldest continuing cultures in human history.

The Australian Government recently launched www.indigenous.gov.au to showcase Indigenous achievement. The site has already received 30,000 visits since it was launched in mid-March.

NAIDOC Week runs from 4 to 11 July. To find out more about NAIDOC activities in your area, please contact your nearest Indigenous Coordination Centre on 1800 079 098 or visit www.naidoc.org.au