Celebrate Indigenous Australia

19 June 2009

City of Sydney is celebrating Indigenous culture this NAIDOC Week with a program of free events including 3 on 3 basketball, film nights, family tree workshops and children's story times.

"Honouring our Elders, Nurturing our Youth" is the theme for National NAIDOC Week held from 5 to 12 July 2009.  The theme encourages communities to acknowledge the status of Indigenous Elders as leaders and role models for youth.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP said; "NAIDOC Week is an opportunity to learn about and celebrate our Indigenous heritage and contemporary culture. I invite all members of our community to participate in the many events being held across the City." 

Highlights of NAIDOC week:

• "The Apology Talk: music, playtime, tears and laughter" - City of Sydney historian Margo Beasley will talk about and screen a film showing on-the-ground reactions at Redfern Community Centre to the Prime Minister's formal apology to the stolen generation (Customs House Circular Quay, 7 and 11 July ).
•  Cultural Awareness Training at Yaama Dhiyaan in Darlington (8 July).
•  Indigenous History Workshops - learn how to research family/community history with tips from the experts (Glebe, 9 July).
•  Kids' story-time sessions (3-5 year olds) at City of Sydney Libraries will be Indigenous themed (5-12 July).
•  NAIDOC Week poster exhibition with artworks from the 1960s to the present at Waterloo and Customs House Libraries (4 - 16 July).
•  Family Days with performances, food and craft activities, at Glebe (5 July), Redfern (10 July) and Woolloomooloo (11 July).
•  3 on 3 Basketball competition and traditional Indigenous games for younger people at Peter Forsyth Auditorium, Glebe (4 July).
•  Film Night - local and international Indigenous films, including a local music video clip, as part of the After Dark session. Peter Forsyth Auditorium, Glebe (4 July).
•  Alexandria Park Community School three day celebration with an elders morning tea and workshop, Aboriginal film study day for senior students, Games and Sports Day, and a parents and community luncheon, (6 - 9 July).
• Seeding Hope" the history, aspirations & success stories of Mudgin-Gal Women's Centre at Redfern Community Centre (9 July).

Full program of NAIDOC events here: http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/WhatsOn/

Media Contact: Maya Catsanis (02) 9265 9553 or 0409 045 425.