NAIDOC Week 2008 Fact sheet
Background
NAIDOC (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) celebrations promote the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This year’s celebrations run from 6 to 13 July.
In a tradition dating back to the 1950s, National NAIDOC involves: a focus city; a theme; a poster competition based on that theme; and the presentation of national awards at an awards ceremony held in the focus city. This year’s NAIDOC theme is ‘Advance Australia Fair?’ and the focus city is Canberra.
Awards
Each year, the National NAIDOC Awards recognise the outstanding achievements of Indigenous Australians.
The award categories are:
- Apprentice of the Year
- Artist of the Year
- Elder of the Year (female)
- Elder of the Year (male)
- Lifetime Achievement Award
- Person of the Year
- Scholar of the Year
- Sportsperson of the Year
- Youth of the Year
This year’s awards ceremony will be held on Saturday, 12 July, at the National Convention Centre, Canberra.
Tickets for this year’s ceremony sold out in less than 24 hours.
266 nominations were also received which is the highest number on record.
Previous NAIDOC winners include Mark Bin Baker (2007 Person of the Year), Anthony Mundine (2000 Person of the Year), Deborah Mailman (2003 Person of the Year), Patrick Dodson and Mick Dodson (1998 Joint Person of the Year), Kyle Vander Kuyp (1985 and 1994 Sportsperson of the Year).
Entertainers
Each year, the National NAIDOC Awards features Australia’s best Indigenous entertainers and musicians.
This year, the line-up includes:
- Blue King Brown
- Jessica Mauboy
- Casey Donovan
- Mary G
- Dale Huddleston and the Riverbank Band
- Leah Purcell
- Ernie Dingo
- Plus other local performers
Local events across Australia
Although national celebrations are centred on the focus city, hundreds of local NAIDOC events are held across the country.
A growing number of Australians are organising local NAIDOC events to celebrate the contribution that Indigenous people and culture make to our nation.
Example of local events include:
- Awards ceremonies
- Art exhibitions
- Picnics and barbecues
- Sporting fixtures
- Children’s events
- Trivia evenings
- School-based activities
To find out more about local events in your area, contact your nearest Indigenous Coordination Centre on 1800 079 098 (except in Nhulunbuy – 1800 089 148; Kalgoorlie – 1800 193 357; Kununurra 1800 193 348).
Poster competition
Each year a poster competition is held which is open to all Indigenous artists.
The winner’s design, based on the yearly theme, is used to promote NAIDOC Week across the nation.
The winners of this year’s poster competition are brothers Duwun (Anthony) and Laniyuk (Ian) Lee, from Darwin.
National NAIDOC Committee
The National NAIDOC Committee makes key decisions such as the focus city, the theme, the award winners and the poster competition winner.
The members of the 2008 National NAIDOC Committee are:
- Anne Martin (co-chairperson)
- Ben Mitchell (co-chairperson)
- Jason Glanville
- Jason Field
- Rosalind Coleman
- Bilawara Lee
- Maurice Walker
- Glenda Hyde
- Aden Ridgeway (immediate past chairperson)
- Leah Purcell
Further information
For further information about NAIDOC visit www.naidoc.org.au
A limited number of media passes will be available at the National NAIDOC Awards on Saturday, 12 July.
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