NAIDOC Week drives the conversation

Published: 09 Jul 2021 11:58am

The Wagga Wagga NAIDOC Committee was forced to postpone this week’s scheduled events in line with the NSW Government’s current Public Health Orders. New dates are yet to be advised and will be dependent upon restrictions easing.

The theme for NAIDOC Week 2021 is Heal Country!, which calls for stronger measures to recognise, protect, and maintain all aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage.

Mayor of the City of Wagga Wagga Cr Greg Conkey OAM said NAIDOC Week is an important event on the city’s calendar.

“NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to embrace the true history of this country – a history which is many thousands of years old and which continues to evolve today,” Cr Conkey said.

“This is a chance for the whole community to come together to learn and recognise the First Nations Peoples 65,000-plus years of history.

“Whilst we may not have had the opportunity to physically gather this week, it’s important that the conversation continues around NAIDOC Week and what it stands for.”

Last year NAIDOC Week was celebrated with the production of a series of short films. Council collaborated with Wiradjuri and First Nations storytellers to create the series which are available online and the community is encouraged to watch these films as part of this week’s NAIDOC Week celebrations.

Among those featured in the films are Aunty Isabel Reid, Uncle James Ingram, Aunty Cheryl Penrith, Aunty Mary Atkinson, Jackie Ingram, Peter Ingram, Luke Wighton, and Wes Boney. The films can be viewed at wagga.nsw.gov.au/NAIDOC20