The Orange NAIDOC Week celebrations will be held from Friday 29 October to Saturday 6 November, supported by Orange City Council.
The 2021 NAIDOC Week theme ‘Heal Country!’ calls for stronger measures to recognise, protect and maintain all aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage.
NAIDOC Week 2021 invites the nation to embrace First Nations’ cultural knowledge and deep understanding of Country as part of Australia’s national heritage, and to equally respect the
culture of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders as they do the collective culture of all Australians.
ROOF-TOP: The NAIDOC Week logo is painted on the high-profile grass roof of the Orange Regional Museum. (CLICK TO SEE LARGER IMAGE)
NAIDOC Week is usually held around Australia in July, however, the Orange NAIDOC Committee has chosen to hold it in November for several years due to the weather usually experienced in winter.
Orange Mayor Reg Kidd said the event would be celebrated differently this year due to COVID-19, but the meaning behind NAIDOC Week celebrations was as strong as ever.
“The week is a great opportunity to support our Indigenous community and celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” Cr Kidd said.
An exhibition ‘Heal Country!’ will open at Orange Regional Museum on Friday 29 October and run until February 2022.
The exhibition highlights local Indigenous-led land regeneration and environmental education programs and traditional cultural practices that continue to inform custodianship of Country.
It has been produced in conjunction with the Orange NAIDOC Week Committee and through knowledge generously shared by Uncle Neil Ingram and Greg Ingram, Uncle Brian Turnbull and Annette Uata, Gerald Power, and the Dyiraamalang dancers, with original artwork by Kylie Tarleton.
“I encourage everyone to head to the Museum and learn about the important work being done to protect and conserve the land, through the many pictures, stories and objects on
display,” Cr Kidd said.
Gerald Power has been the NAIDOC Committee chair said this year’s theme ‘Heal Country!’ was felt throughout the local community and across the country.
“If you look after mother earth, then mother earth will look after you. It’s vitally important that we look after this wonderful planet and hand it on to the younger generation,” Mr Power said.
“Despite the challenges of the pandemic, we’ve still been working hard for our community, especially in schools where they’re holding their own marches, activities and award ceremonies, which has been really nice to see.”
In support of NAIDOC Week, Orange City Council has installed banners along Summer Street, while the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags have been painted on the roof of the
Orange Regional Museum.
