AN important part of our national calendar is NAIDOC Week.
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The theme of this year's event, scheduled to be held between November 8 and 15, is Always Was, Always Will Be. The theme recognises that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for more than 65,000 years.
NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee.
The current pandemic and sporadic lockdowns may change activities scheduled for this year's NAIDOC Week, however, the official website contains essential information and history of the observance committee.
According to its organisers, the week's origins can be traced to the emergence of Aboriginal groups in the 1920s, which sought to increase awareness in the wider community of the status and treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
It was about 100 years ago when people started to become aware of why Aboriginal rights groups boycotted Australia Day (26 January); in protest against the status and treatment of Indigenous Australians.
Fast forward to the 1990s and amid a growing awareness of the cultural histories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, NADOC was expanded to recognise Torres Strait Islander people and culture.
This initiative coincided with NAIDOC Day observance expanding to week-long activities.
Each year, a theme is chosen to reflect the important issues and events for NAIDOC Week.
Each year, there is a different focus city for the national NAIDOC awards ceremony. The focus city, National NAIDOC poster competition and the NAIDOC Awards recipients are selected by the national NAIDOC committee.
Local community celebrations during NAIDOC Week are encouraged and often organised by communities, government agencies, local councils, schools and workplaces.
The national NAIDOC Committee has made key decisions on national celebrations each year and has representatives from most Australian states and territories.
This information is provided by naidoc.org.au.