NAIDOC Week this year will be celebrated from Sunday 7 July – Sunday 14 July.
Celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday), to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is 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.
NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. Its origins can be traced to the emergence of Aboriginal groups in the 1920′s which sought to increase awareness in the wider community of the status and treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
NAIDOC week is an opportunity for our people to come together in a positive and cultural context – encouraging families, community and elders to recognise the enormous contribution that mob make to the community.
This year’s NAIDOC theme is ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud!’
Celebrating the unyielding spirit of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, this year’s theme represents the enduring strength of Indigenous cultures and is an unapologetic celebration of Indigenous identity.
Celebrate NAIDOC at La Trobe
In the spirit of this celebration, we are proud to share our video, Welcome to Culture. Welcome to Culture is an introduction to the Indigenous cultures of the Traditional Lands on which our many campuses are located.
We invite you to share in the stories told by Aboriginal people and learn about the rich history and resilience of the oldest living culture in the world.
“’I’m going on Country’, those four words tell a big story”
Lewis Brown, Dja Dja Wurrung
La Trobe NAIDOC events
A range of events are available for you to get involved with. Registration is required for some events. Check out the events below!
| Campus | Event | Where | Date and time |
| Bendigo | Join us for a smoking ceremony, screening of Welcome to Culture, a feed and a yarn. View event page | LSU Plaza/Circular Lecture Theatre | Tuesday 9 July 10.45 am – 2 pm |
| Melbourne (Bundoora) | Join us for a viewing of Welcome to Culture, lunch and a yarn. View event page | Ngarn-gi Bagora (Agora East, Level 2) | Wednesday 10 July 12 pm – 2 pm |
| Mildura | Join us for artefact creation, a feed and a yarn. Registrations essential. View event page | Brian Grogan Student Lounge | Thursday 11 July 10.45 am – 2 pm |
Find out about celebrations near you and learn more about NAIDOC Week by visiting the NAIDOC website.
Feature image credit: National NAIDOC logo, courtesy of naidoc.org.au