NAIDOC Week 2021 in the Inner West
Thursday 17 June 2021
Inner West Council will celebrate the contribution Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have made to the community during NAIDOC Week 2021 from 4 – 11 July.
Council acknowledges the living culture and unique role of local Aboriginal communities. The traditional Aboriginal groups of the Inner West Council area are the Gadigal and Wangal peoples of the Eora nation.
The NAIDOC 2021 theme – Heal Country! – calls for continued greater protections for lands, waters, sacred sites and cultural heritage from exploitation, desecration, and destruction.
At Globe Wilkins Preschool, children will create a collaborative art piece incorporating Dharawal practices using natural materials and create a visual representation of Globe’s Statement from the Heart, written by children, during Reconciliation Week.
As well, children, families, educators and community will spend an afternoon together at the Wilkins Green community garden, sharing native foods to celebrate and acknowledge NAIDOC week.
Council will also host the annual Koori Kids Disco at Marrickville PCYC on Friday 9 July.
Events and activities open to the public are:
Spear making workshop with Uncle Dean Kelly for young men
Marrickville Library, Monday 5 July
AbSec NAIDOC Family Fun Day
Steel Park, Tuesday 6 July
Traditional cultural performances, arts and crafts, face painting, jumping castles, an Elders tent, sausage sizzle and much more.
Midjuburiu (Lilly Pilly) walking tours
Steel Park, Thursday 8 July, from 11am
Aboriginal knowledge holder Terry Lennis will lead a walking tour from the sandstone canoe at Steel Park, along Cooks River, to significant sites and finishing at a Perfect Match public artwork community celebration.
Perfect Match Community Celebration
57 Carrington Road Marrickville, Thursday 8 July, 1pm
David Cragg is a multidisciplinary artist of Irish, Scottish, Bundjalung and Biripai ancestry, working in Dharawhal Country, but who grew up on Wangal, Gadigal and Bidigal Country.
His work Waterways (detail pictured above right) will be launched at a community celebration. All welcome.
Weaving workshop with Aunty Jo
Mackey Park Marrickville, Thursday 8 July, 2pm
Join Aunty Joanne Selfe for a workshop on traditional basket weaving techniques.
Basket weaving for young people
McNeilly Park Marrickville, Thursday 8 July, 3pm – 6pm
A workshop for 12 - 25 year olds to learn traditional basket weaving techniques.
For more information and to register, go to Council’s What's on.
For media enquiries, contact Elizabeth Heath, Media and Communications Coordinator, 9392 5334 or Elizabeth.Heath@innerwest.nsw.gov.au