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NAIDOC – A week to remember

National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) celebration will be held from 1st to 8^th July 2011. Each year NAIDOC celebrates the history, culture and achievements of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The theme for 2012 is Spirit of the Tent Embassy: 40 years on

The NAIDOC history

At the turn of the 20^th century, the Aboriginal groups showed their bitterness at being sidelined in their own country by boycotting Australia Day that is observed on 26^th January. Over the next two decades, people marched through the streets, staged demonstrations and petitioned the Australian Government in an effort to be granted electorate and constitutional powers.

The movement was largely unnoticed initially but in 1938, on Australia Day, protestors held a rally on the streets of Sydney. A congress meeting that was attended by over a thousand people followed this rally, which is considered to be one of the first major civil rights gatherings in the world. It also came to be known as the Day of Mourning.

Consistent efforts to gain recognition for the Aborigines resulted in a Department of Aboriginal Affairs being formed in 1972. Then in 1974, a greater milestone came in the form of the NADOC committee that was made up entirely of Aboriginal members. In the early 90s, NADOC was expanded to include Torres Strait Islander people and culture. It then became NAIDOC.

How you can be a part of the NAIDOC celebrations

NAIDOC celebrations can range from a simple act such as a flag raising ceremony to the more significant such as inviting local indigenous elders to speak at the school or workplace. Here are some more tips:

1. Listen to indigenous music: At home or in the care center, play indigenous music. To make it more meaningful to young children, consider bringing in some indigenous instruments and getting them to explore it. Geoffrey Gurrumul is one of Australia's most celebrated indigenous artists and his music is ideal for a classroom or kinder environment - Try his original album Gurrumul or his latest release in April 2011 Rrakala
2. Study Aboriginal arts and crafts: Devote a few hours to Aboriginal arts and crafts weekly. Choose a theme or stick to the NAIDOC’s theme for the year.  The Little Black Card Game or see our range of "Giant Educational Indigenous Play Mats' in your classroom for lesson after lesson of education and inclusion or the Bush Game
3. Read Dreamtime stories: While reading, consider play acting to add more depth to the experience and the story. Dreamtime Kullia or Tiddalick the Frog or Jirrbal Rainforest Stories
4. Start an indigenous hall of fame: Find out who your local indigenous elders are in your community. Are they parents or grandparents fo your children at school or kindy? Or maybe the person who works at the local library. Nominate them to a hall of fame and invite them to an “awards” ceremony.
5. Display posters: This is the simplest way to get attention. Create your own posters and put them up in hallways and classrooms or use ours. Australia tri flag set or our Symbol Posters set of 6 or our A4 set of 5 posters.
6. Do a game show: Invent a game show or replicate one that might already be popular on TV. Get rolling with an indigenous theme. The Bridge - The Reconciliation Game
7. Give away freebies: NAIDOC supplies promotional items such as stickers, badges and wristbands. Call your local Indigenous Coordination Centre. Or go to www.naidoc.org.au for more information
8. Invite an indigenous cultural workshop group to your school to perform and educate your students. Yindi Artz on the Sunshine Coast, Circular Rythm on the Gold Coast or go to Cultural Infusion for information on other cultural workshops across Australia

 Some Fun Facts

1. The national focus city for 2012 is Hobart, Tasmania.
2. The 2012 National NAIDOC Awards Ceremony and Ball will be held in Hobrat on July 6 .
3. You can nominate someone in your community who deserves to be recognized for their contribution to indigenous causes for an NAIDOC award. Go to www.naidoc.org.au/naidoc-awards for more information

Every event or day centered on indigenous and native people are great opportunities to salute and respect them for their contributions to society, so don’t let it pass you by!

Article written on behalf of Global Kids Oz by Annie Besant