Released 25/07/2017
Community leaders came together this morning to formally launch Canberra’s NAIDOC week celebrations and reflect on the importance of language to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
Australia’s three national flags and the flag for the ACT were raised outside the Legislative Assembly this morning as an acknowledgement of the importance of NAIDOC Week to the Canberra community.
It was wonderful to be joined by Bradley Bell, Samantha Faulkner and Alex Sloan who raised the Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Australian flags respectively.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags have become globally recognised symbols of unity and identity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The 2017 NAIDOC Week theme – Our Languages Matter – aims to celebrate the unique and essential role that languages play in cultural identity - linking people to country, history, spirituality and rites through story and song.
It is also an election year for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body (ATSIEB). NAIDOC Week is the ideal time for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Canberrans to come together and vote for those who will best advocate for the rights, goals and aspirations of their communities. I encourage all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Canberrans to vote in the ATSIEB election this week.
I hope all Canberrans take the opportunity to enjoy local NAIDOC week events, such as the NAIDOC Week art exhibition at Tuggeranong Arts Centre and the NAIDOC by the Lake celebration on Saturday at the Belconnen Arts Centre.
For further information on NAIDOC week, and events in your area visit www.naidoc.org.au.
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Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases