NAIDOC Week 2021: Heal Country
1 July 2021
NAIDOC Week celebrations are set to take place throughout the region from 4-11 July, embodying this year's theme - Heal Country!
The National NAIDOC Committee explains that this year's theme - Heal Country - calls for everyone to continue to seek greater protections for our lands, our waters, our sacred sites and our cultural heritage from exploitation, desecration, and destruction.
"Country is more than a place and inherent to our identity."
NAIDOC 2021 invites everyone to embrace First Nations' cultural knowledge and understanding of the Country as part of Australia's national heritage and equally respect the culture and values of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders.
Each year NAIDOC week grows in size and depth of celebrations. A list of events happening throughout South Eastern NSW and the ACT can be found below.
Please note* due to recent COVID-19 restrictions some events may be subject to change. For further information about the specific events please follow the relevant links. For further information about COVID-19 and current restrictions please visit the NSW Health website.
Katungul: NAIDOC Healing WeekPostponed* |
The event is an opportunity for everyone to come together for a yarn, share our experiences, support our people and move to a place of healing and recovery. There will be stalls from other service providers, arts & crafts, face painting, dance-off, giveaways, food and entertainment for the whole mob! Find out more here. Please note, due to recent restrictions, the event has been postponed and rescheduled for later in the year. Location: multiple locations including (5 July) 25 Bega Street, Bega | (6 July) Bill Smyth Memorial Oval, Narooma | (7 July) Hanging rock oval, Batemans Bay. |
Shoalhaven NAIDOC Family Fun DayPostponed* |
The Shoalhaven Family Fun Day will be an amazing day to celebrate culture and community and provide an opportunity for Organisations and Service Providers to showcase their programs and services to the community. Find out more here. Please note, due to recent restrictions, the event has been postponed and rescheduled for later in the year. Location: Nowra Showground. |
Illawarra Aboriginal Art Trail1 - 18 July |
The Illawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre is hosting the annual Illawarra Aboriginal Art Trail which showcases First Nations artists of various ages, career stages, abilities, creative approaches and techniques. The exhibition stretches across 10 locations and includes more than 100 artworks. Find out more here. Location: multiple locations stretching from Thirroul down the coast to Kiama. |
Shellharbour City Council NAIDOC Community DayPostponed* |
The NAIDOC Community Day is an opportunity to celebrate our local Aboriginal Community enjoy a free lunch and find out more about the week-long NAIDOC activities being hosted at the Civic Centre. The event will include a flag-raising ceremony, Welcome to Country, Smoking Ceremony, lunch, stalls workshops and free activities. Find out more here. Please note, due to recent restrictions, the event has been postponed and rescheduled for later in the year. Location: Shellharbour Civic Centre. |
NAIDOC 2021 at Koonawarra Community Centre8 July 10am - 1pm |
The free family fun event will include a welcome to country, smoking ceremony, stalls from local organisations and much more! Find out more here. Location: Koonawarra Community Centre. |
Canberra Community NAIDOC Week Event6 July 10:45 am |
Celebrate NAIDOC Week and enjoy musicians, art workshops, stalls, great food and guest speakers. Find out more here. Location: Woden Town Square, Canberra. |
Having a Yarn - Final Footprints webinar8 July 12pm |
Palliative Care Australia (PCA) is holding a live webcast - Having a Yarn: Final Footprints: My Culture, My Kinship, My Country. The live cast will include a discussion with expert panel members about the importance of palliative care to our First Nations’ peoples, the use of ‘death and dying’ language in communities, and documenting end-of-life wishes. Find out more here. Location: online. |
NAIDOC Virtual Highlights Tour20 July 12:30pm |
Celebrate First Nations Identity for NAIDOC with the National Portrait Gallery collection. Under the 2021 theme Heal Country! this tour will recognise portraits in the collection that shine a light on occupation, stories, and resilience as place-based culture work. Find out more here. Location: online via zoom. |
Shellharbour City Council: NAIDOC Awards 202124 July from 6pm |
Shellharbour City Council is hosting the 2021 Local Government Regional NAIDOC Awards, an annual event that celebrates and promotes the achievements of Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal people and organisations. Find out more here. Location: Shellharbour Civic Centre. |
Bellambi NAIDOC CelebrationRescheduled* 22 September |
This family-friendly event will include a smoking ceremony, performances, activities for kids, cultural workshops, free food / BBQ bush tucker, and lots of fun! Find out more here. Please note, due to recent restrictions, the event has been rescheduled for 22 September. Location: Bellambi Point. |