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NAIDOC Week 2021
NAIDOC Week celebrations are being held between 4 -11 July to celebrate the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This year’s NAIDOC week theme is Heal Country which means embracing First Nation’s cultural knowledge and understanding of Country as part of Australia's national heritage.
NAIDOC Week is celebrated in Indigenous communities and by all Australians from all walks of life, and it's a great opportunity to participate in a range of activities to support your local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. Here’s how we are celebrating NAIDOC Week 2021 around Newcastle.
Every Sunday members of the Worimi Mob meet on Country at Onebygamba, the original name for Carrington Creek Parklands, to learn, celebrate, and explore culture. The Worimi Mob are teaming up with renowned theatre company Curious Legends for a special free public performance on Sunday 4 July to kick off NAIDOC week. The event will feature traditional dance, a spiritual smoking cleanse, vibrant art, and a giant illuminated pelican!
Sunday 4 July, 4pm, Hargrave Street Carrington
NAIDOC Week at Newcastle Libraries
Join Indigenous health practitioner Sarah Corrigan from Rainbow Crow Cultural Collective on Wednesday 7 July at Newcastle City Library for two special NAIDOC week Wayapa Wuurk workshops - Family Workshop and NAIDOC Week workshop for all. Wayapa® is an earth connection practice that is based on ancient Indigenous wisdom that focuses on taking care of the Earth as the starting point for creating Earth Mind Body Spirit well-being. The narrative mindfulness and Indigenous inspired movements allow for a healing space through yarning, sharing and connection to occur.
Dance to the Didge and celebrate our Indigenous culture with stories, songs, dance and music from Uncle Perry Fuller, a Yadaki (didge) player and artist, at Wallsend Library on Wednesday 7 July, and Newcastle City Library on Friday 9 July. Suitable for ages 3-10.
Check out two new exciting exhibitions at the Lovett Gallery, Newcastle Library - Dry to Dry and The Outback. Dry to Dry: The Seasons of Kakadu is a beloved book by award winning author Pamela Freeman and illustrator Liz Anelli following the extraordinary journey of the changing seasons and wildlife in Kakadu through gorgeous artwork.
The Libraries school holiday program also includes a range of events celebrating Indigenous culture including Kakadu Story Stomp and drawing workshops, and Aboriginal weaving workshops. For more on the school holiday activities see the Winter School Holiday blog. A range of free Podcasts are also available online, including the Newcastle’s First Storytellers podcast series that won podcast of the year (Dr Donna Meehan – Stolen Generation) at the Newcastle Podcast Awards.
Get ready for a fusion of roots, reggae, soulful funk and dub that will lift your spirits and get you moving! Gambirra MOB are an 11-piece powerhouse band fronted by exotic women whose roots are from N.E Arnhemland. The MOB is led by songstress Gambirra, AKA Mamma G, and her daughters Ena and Yvonne, and backed by a full band drawing creative talent from all walks of life. Their sound is big and psychedelic, mixing catchy tribal beats with a message of unity and love. Be prepared to be enchanted and uplifted by this dynamic and empowering band.
Saturday 10 July, 10am - 3pm, Newcastle Art Gallery
Join Torres Strait community members for a Gallery wide event to celebrate NAIDOC Week. The event will feature two traditional dance performances by local artist Toby Cedar and sons at 12.30pm and 2pm (bookings required), a fish weaving demonstration with Gallery Educators between 10.30am and 2pm, and free Art Cart activities for families between 10.30am and 12.30pm.
Throughout the day enjoy Torres Strait Islander hymns playing in the Gallery exhibition WARWAR: The Art of Torres Strait. The Art Gallery's school holiday program also includes the Torres Strait Islander flag making workshop. Monday 5 – Friday 9 July, three sessions daily.
NAIDOC Week at Newcastle Museum
Newcastle Museum will be joined by artist Jasmine Cracuin for an online interview discussing her projects and work at Newcastle Museum, and professional rugby league footballer Connor Watson will be reading the NAIDOC Week Tuesday Tales.
Thanks to Newcastle Museum you can also enjoy Niiarrnumber Burrai (Our Country), a virtual reality experience where you will embark on a journey back in time to nine different locations and see them as they were when Awabakal and Worimi people lived traditionally within the local lands of Newcastle.
You can also discover the story of the Kuueeyung and learn about the history and technology of the traditional punnah (stringy bark) canoe that was built onsite at the museum by proud Gringai Worimai man Luke Russell from Wylaa Buuranliyn. The permanent exhibition can be viewed at Newcastle Museum from Tuesdays to Sundays between 10am to 5pm, and entry is free via QR code.
Pop into the Visitor Information Centre for a great range of Indigenous information and gifts
The Visitor Information Centre stocks a wide range of Indigenous information and souvenirs including posters of the Awabakal alphabet, plant and animal names, and a great range of gifts including face masks made by the Murrook Community from the Woromi LAC.
Located at 430 Hunter Street Newcastle, they are open Monday to Friday between 9:30am - 4:30pm, and Saturdays between 10am and 2pm. Free NAIDOC merchandise is also available at the City of Newcastle Customer Service Centre at 12 Stewart Avenue, and the Civic Theatre.
