Kaya! It’s NAIDOC week

Kaya (hello)! – how many words do you know of the Aboriginal language group from your part of Australia?

If you happen to live in the southwest of Australia you should definitely have a look at the South West Aboriginal Land & Sea Council (SWALSC) Noongar word list or the Noongar Boodjar Language Cultural Aboriginal Corporation site and educate yourself, particularly as we come to the end of this year’s NAIDOC week.

Or check out some past programs/podcasts of ABC Radio National’s Word Up program as we come to the end of the 2020 NAIDOC week. This great radio program takes you through different Aboriginal languages, one word at a time (did you know that river and umbilical cord have have the same word in Noongar?)

And if you weren’t already aware, NAIDOC Week celebrations are held around the country each July (this year COVID-July = November) to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This year’s theme is Always Was, Always Will Be – an apt acknowledgement of our ever-increasing recognition of Australia’s ancient history – Aboriginal people having (finally) been recognised as the likely oldest continuous culture on the planet.

And if you haven’t gotten involved in anything yet and taken the opportunity to learn more about NAIDOC week or the Aboriginal culture and people of your local area, there is still time!

Events and resources can be found here: https://www.naidoc.org.au/get-involved/naidoc-week-events

If you’re in Whadjuk boodja (Perth) there is still time for the:

• NAIDOC Library Challenge (until Monday 30 November) – challenge yourself to learn more about the nations, language, stories and knowledge of Aboriginal Australians in celebration of NAIDOC Week. Earn a badge by registering and track your reading, participate in activities and access recommendations from other readers (City of Perth Library);
• Goologoolup NAIDOC Week Film Screening (Sunday 15 November) – an afternoon screening of award-winning documentary In My Blood It Runs and local documentary Noongar Boodja – Place Names (State Library of WA, bookings are essential!)
• Weaving with Weeds with Lea Taylor (Saturday 14 November) – an informative and fun session where you’ll learn about weaving with natural fibres from the bush and the history of Aboriginal weaving in Australia. Lea (an award-winning weaver and artist from the Wadandi/Minang Nations of South West WA) will show you how to make natural string and weave a bracelet from the pest weed, Watsonia (City of Perth Library, bookings required so get in quick!)
• Djinanginy Ngany (Seeing Me) by Moorditj Koolangka (until Saturday 14 November) – this program, facilitated by local artists Esther McDowell (Yabini Kickett) and Duncan Wright, features photography and drawings by the Moorditj Koolangka youth group from the Edmund Rice Centre, WA (Perth Centre for Photography).

So take advantage of these great events and immerse yourself in the rich culture of our First Nations people this weekend!