Celebrating 50 years of NAIDOC: Looking Forward, Looking Blak
17 November 2006
Statement by National NAIDOC Week Chairperson, Aden Ridgeway
The National NAIDOC Committee will mark the 50th anniversary of NAIDOC with the deadly theme: 50 years: Looking Forward, Looking Blak.
The creation of the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) has its origins in the fight for Aboriginal rights that began to gather pace in the 1920s and 1930s. Its precursors were the Day of Mourning (26 January 1938) and Aboriginal Sunday that was observed the Sunday before Australia Day starting in 1940. In 1957 a National Aborigines Day Observance Committee (NADOC) was formed with support and cooperation from Federal and State governments, the churches and major Indigenous organisations. Its aim was to promote Aboriginal Sunday as a day to focus community attention on the nation’s Aboriginal people.
After the 1967 Referendum and the establishment in 1972 of a Federal Department of Aboriginal Affairs, the national focus on Indigenous issues increased significantly. In 1974 NADOC became an all-Indigenous committee, and in 1975 extended the Aboriginal Day to National Aborigines Week, with celebrations held in July. In 1988 the committee’s name was changed to NAIDOC—National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee—to acknowledge Torres Strait Islander people.
The 50th anniversary for NAIDOC is a time for us to reflect on how far we have come as Indigenous Australians and the significant contribution we have made to shape this nation. Next year also marks a significant milestone with the 40th anniversary of the 1967 Referendum.
As the theme for NAIDOC Week 2007 states, we need to look forward to what we want Australia to be in 50 years time and where our people will be. It is up to all Australians to put the hard work in to correct the inequalities still suffered by our people. Like the origins of NAIDOC itself it needs all of us—Indigenous Australians, governments, and the wider Australian community to improve life opportunities of Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders and respect for our position and role in the life of the nation.
Symbolically, the National NAIDOC Awards and Ball will take place on Black Friday (13 July 2007) in Darwin. The national NAIDOC Awards and Ball will be the high point for NAIDOC Week 2007, with NAIDOC celebrations being held the week of 8-15 July. ‘Black Friday’ is ideal to celebrate the 50th anniversary of NAIDOC and I imagine many communities will embrace the coincidence of Black Friday in NAIDOC Week, and will celebrate with creative activities and events around the country.
I encourage all Australians to join with us to celebrate 50 years of NAIDOC.
The National NAIDOC poster competition and nominations for the National NAIDOC Awards open Monday 29 January, 2007. For more information visit www.naidoc.org.au.
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