The Tamworth NAIDOC Committee has partnered up with Tamworth Regional Council and a number of Indigenous organisations for a big week of events.

Council’s cultural development officer Andrea Bruno said language was “the biggest carrier of culture”.

“In order to pass on that culture, language needs to be celebrated and learnt,” Ms Bruno said.

“In Tamworth there are many groups that are fostering language.”

Fellow committee member and Tamworth and Armidale Aboriginal Children’s Service case worker, Sam Ruttley, said many schools were already doing their part.

“You’ve got elders like Nev Sampson going into preschool and teaching it to little toddlers, who are learning how to count to 10,” Ms Ruttley said.

“It’s starting to be taught in not just preschools, but primary schools and high schools.

“There is such an emphasis on learning Japanese and French in high schools. Why not start learning some of the Aboriginal language?”

Tamworth Local Aboriginal Land Council chair Harry Cutmore said in the past, Indigenous Australians were never encouraged to speak or learn their language, but now there was a revival.

“It keeps our culture alive,” he said. That’s why knowledge sharing days with elders, like the one happening at the sacred site of Boundary Rock on Wednesday, are so important.

The big NAIDOC Week event is the family fun day and award ceremony at Bicentennial park on Friday.

Kicking off with the annual NAIDOC march at 10am, the day features free activities for kids, Gomeroi dancers and cultural story telling.

A host of other events are planned, with something on everyday.

On Tuesday, there is a flag-raising ceremony outside the council chambers at 10am, while on Wednesday former NRL star Nathan Hindmarsh will hold a workshop at the Coledale Community Centre. 

On Thursday, The Youthie will the screen an Indigenous coming-of-age documentary Zach’s Ceremony, and from 5 pm, Tamworth Regional Gallery will host an exhibition opening and artist panel.