Ngala kaaditj Wadjuk Noongar moort, keyen kaadak nidja boodja.
We acknowledge the Wadjuk Noongar people as the original custodians of the land.
NAIDOC Week runs from 8 to 15 November 2020 and is a national celebration of the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life.
This year’s NAIDOC Week theme is Always Was, Always Will Be. The theme acknowledges that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years. They were Australia’s first explorers, first navigators, first engineers, first farmers, first botanists, first scientists, first diplomats, first astronomers and first artists.
Kay Walley is a Whadjuk Yorga with connections across the state through extended family, in-laws and friends. Kay is also a member of our Aboriginal Advisory Group and kindly shared her thoughts on the NAIDOC Week theme with us.
“For many years, our old people fought to maintain our cultural way of life, and to educate the non-Aboriginal people about the importance of looking after country. It has only recently been acknowledged that by sustaining country, country will sustain us spiritually, physically, emotionally, and mentally. As Aboriginal people, we will always have an intimate relationship with the land, as it was always a part of our ancestors and always will be a part of us”.
Cancer Council WA celebrates NAIDOC Week every year to recognise the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal peoples, by holding internal events, attending external celebrations, and encouraging staff to take part in events and activities around the state.
This year, we are hosting a stall at the NAIDOC Week Opening Ceremony in Supreme Court Gardens on Sunday 8 November. We look forward to celebrating the history and culture of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
We welcome all West Australians to join in with local NAIDOC Week celebrations. Some of the many events are listed below, or you can contact your local council to find out what activities are scheduled in your area.
NAIDOC Week events around WA:
- NAIDOC Week Perth Opening Ceremony at Supreme Court Gardens on Sunday 8 November (12pm-4pm) 2020
- NAIDOC Perth Ball at the Crown Perth, Saturday 14 November 2020
- City of Gosnells’ NAIDOC week events in the week of 8-15 November 2020
- City of Fremantle’s activities from 8-15 November 2020
- City of Bayswater’s Noongar weaving workshops from 10-14 November 2020
- Rocky Bay Disability Service’s NAIDOC week event on Thursday 12 November 2020
- Beananing Kwuurt Institute’s NAIDOC week event in Queen’s Park on Wednesday 11 November 2020
- City of Busselton flag raising ceremony and morning tea on Tuesday 10 November 2020
- Three Springs’ NAIDOC event on Friday 13 November 2020
- Shire of Capel’s NAIDOC week art and culture event on Saturday 14 November 2020
