NAIDOC – Honouring Our Elders, Nurturing Our Youth

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 $1.5 million for NAIDOC activities across Australia.

NAIDOC Week is a time of celebration for Indigenous people, and an opportunity for government, local councils, schools and workplaces to recognise the culture and history of the first Australians.

Hundreds of activities have been organised, including concerts, sporting events, family days, morning teas, barbeques, as well as traditional flag-raising ceremonies.

Improving the lives of Indigenous Australians is a national priority, and we are working with Indigenous people to deliver positive change in their communities.

To keep Indigenous people informed about government programs and services, the Australian Government has produced a new current affairs magazine, Indigenous Newslines, and a weekly radio program, Newslines Radio.

The radio program and magazine will enable Indigenous people in regional and remote Australia to share experiences on a range of issues, including employment, business, health, housing, education, environment, sport, leadership, art and culture.

The Indigenous Newslines magazine will be distributed five times a year, with the first edition currently being distributed to communities throughout Australia.

Production work on Newslines Radio begins this month and programs will be broadcast by the National Indigenous Radio Service (NIRS) and community broadcasters across the country.

This year’s NAIDOC theme is Honouring Our Elders, Nurturing Our Youth. The theme provides an opportunity to celebrate and recognise the crucial role Indigenous Elders play as leaders, teachers and carers and in nurturing the next generation of Indigenous Australians.

I would like to congratulate NAIDOC Committee Co-Chairs, Anne Martin and Ben Mitchell, for their leadership in organising national NAIDOC events, including the NAIDOC National Awards Ceremony and Ball to be held in Brisbane on 10 July

I encourage all Australians to recognise the contribution Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make to our country and participate in the NAIDOC Week celebrations.

NAIDOC week runs from 5 – 12 July. To find out more about NAIDOC activities in your area, contact your nearest Indigenous Coordination Centre on 1800 079 098, for Nhulunbuy call 1800 089 148, Kalgoorlie 1800 193 357, and Kununurra 1800 193 348, or visit NAIDOC website (www.naidoc.org.au).

For more information on Newslines Radio and the Indigenous Newslines magazine visit Indigenous portal website (www.indigenous.gov.au).