Celebrating NAIDOC week

The Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, today visited the Austin and Mercy Hospitals in Heidelberg to join with community members and celebrate NAIDOC Week.

NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in our community to join together to celebrate the outstanding achievements of Indigenous Australians, their contribution to our community and to our nation.

The Australian Government is supporting NAIDOC Week with more than $1.6 million funding to support community events across Australia.

The national theme of this year’s NAIDOC celebrations is Spirit of the Tent Embassy: 40 years on.

This theme celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy and acknowledges its long history.

As part of our work to build stronger relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, the Australian Government is also committed to recognising the unique and special place of our first peoples in our Constitution.

The Government is providing $10 million funding to continue to build public awareness and community support for constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians.

The Gillard Government is committed to building momentum for change. We know the support of the majority of Australians will be crucial for a successful referendum.

This important work is being led by Reconciliation Australia, supported by a reference group of business and community groups, the Australian Human Rights Commission and the National Congress of Australia’s First People and members of the Expert Panel.

NAIDOC Week runs from 1-8 July. To find out more about NAIDOC Week activities in your area, visit www.naidoc.org.au or visit your nearest Indigenous Coordination Centre.

To get involved in supporting constitutional recognition visit www.youmeunity.org.au