This years NAIDOC theme is Heal Country, heal our nation. Heal Country! – calls for stronger measures to recognise, protect, and maintain all aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage.
NAIDOC week is about celebrating the richness and diversity of First Nations People, cultures and stories. Its about acknowledging First Nations excellence and centering the deep knowledge First Nations people have. It’s a week where everyone can celebrate, learn and grow together.
This years NAIDOC theme is ‘Heal Country!’ For First Nations people, Country is more than a place. So this theme means many things. Importantly, healing country is about listening to First Nations voices, and backing First Nations people as the original and sovereign custodians of these lands.
Heal Country is about recognising the important connection to Country that our First Nations people possess in every aspect of their lives - spiritually, physically, emotionally, socially, and culturally. It calls for stronger measures to recognise, protect, and maintain all aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage.
No matter whether you celebrate at home or in community, there are lots of ways you can honour the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples this NAIDOC Week.
Below are 20 ideas to help you celebrate NAIDOC Week 2021 in a COVIDSafe way, see more on the NAIDOC website
It is recommended you use the COVID-19 Restriction Checker or check your state and territory information for the latest information on COVID-19 restrictions before you undertake any of the activities listed below which occur outside of your home or in a public or community space.
- Virtually attend one of the many of the online events available in the NAIDOC Week Official Calendar
- Download and display this year’s NAIDOC Week poster or look through the previous poster gallery.
- Call someone in your community to have a chat about this year’s theme ‘Heal Country!’ and what it means to you
- Watch special NAIDOC Week programming on SBS/NITV and ABC
- Learn more about the Country on which you live and work using the AIATSIS Map of Indigenous Australia
- Find a book to read, written and published by Indigenous authors and illustrators through Magabala Books or suggest one for your next book club
- Check out some music and podcasts from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creators on Indigitube.
- Take a look at how you can support Indigenous businesses through the Supply Nation Indigenous Business Direct.
- Learn more about how deliver an Acknowledgement of Country
- Find out more about the history of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags and how you can fly them.
- Get creative in the kitchen using Australian bushfood and native ingredients such as kangaroo, macadamia or lemon myrtle.
- Use this year’s theme to connect to Country by going for a walk (if restrictions permit), exercising outside, visiting a local park or gardening.
- Research Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history or start some family history research.
- Host an online quiz and test the knowledge of your friends and family on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures or histories.
- Be inspired by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and crafts or get creative at home.
- Try colouring in the NAIDOC Week poster.
- Consider nominating someone for a National NAIDOC Award. While submissions for the National NAIDOC Awards are currently closed, you can begin preparing nominations for the 2022 awards for when they open later this year.
- Visit the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander exhibitions of museums and galleries in-person or online.
- Plan your Australian travel bucket list including Indigenous sites of significance or interest.
- Join the conversation online using the NAIDOC Week hashtags #NAIDOC2021, #NAIDOCWeek and #HealCountry
