NAIDOC Week 4-11 July 2021
NAIDOC Week is an exciting time in our national calendar. It is an important week for all peoples of all cultures in these lands now called Australia to come together to celebrate and recognise the history and culture, achievements and contributions, of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Weeks runs from the first to the second Sunday in July every year. NAIDOC Week is celebrated by all Australians and is a great opportunity to learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
As we continue to live through a global pandemic, there are now many online events too. To find out go to NAIDOC Week online and enter your postcode to find out what’s happening in your area.
On Sunday 4 July at 6pm on Kaurna country in Adelaide Pilgrim Uniting Church are hosting an Ecumenical NAIDOC Week Church Service. Here’s a gallery of images from the 2020 ecumenical service.
The National NAIDOC Theme for 2021 is Heal Country! The 2021 National NAIDOC Poster, ‘Care for Country’ was designed by Gubbi Gubbi artist Maggie-Jean Douglas. Using the 2021 NAIDOC Week theme, Heal Country!, as inspiration, ‘Care for Country’ is a bright and vibrant artwork which explores how Country has cared for and healed First Nations people spiritually, physically, emotionally, socially and culturally. The artwork includes communities, people, animals and bush medicines spread over different landscapes of red dirt, green grass, bush land and coastal areas to tell the story of the many ways Country can and has healed us throughout our lives and journeys.
Find out more about the story behind the 2021 National NAIDOC Posterand download your copy of the poster today.
Common Grace will be releasing a Prayer for Healing Country video on their website and Facebook page on Tuesday 29th June. This prayer features the artwork, ‘Tree of Life’ by Safina Stewart, Common Grace’s National School Partnership Coordinator. The Prayer for Healing Country is written by Aunty Dr Doseena Fergie and brings three generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people together – Aunty Doseena, her daughter Safina, and Safina’s eldest daughter Arieta, set to a moving soundtrack by Stu Fergie of Oka Music, Aunty Doseena’s son. Churches are asked to play this video in their services during NAIDOC Week (Sunday the 4th and/or Sunday 11th July), and are calling individuals and small groups to watch and pray this prayer. Permission is granted for the video to be live-streamed and streamed via Facebook.
For NAIDOC Week 2021, Brooke Prentis (Common Grace) will be guest hosting Soul Search on ABC Radio National (ABC RN) with guest Aunty Rev Dr Denise Champion, author of ‘Anaditj’. This will go live to air on Sunday 4 July 2021 at 6pm, to then be repeated on Wednesday 7th July at 11pm and Thursday 8th July at 12pm. Be sure to tune in on the radio or listen online!
Common Grace has provided colouring-in sheets for children (or adults!) to use to celebrate NAIDOC Week. These would be great for kids church programs, or even just as a fun activity to do at home. Download NAIDOC Week colouring-in here.
NAIDOC Week banners and logos and electronic signature banner here.
