Australian High Commission
Islamabad
Pakistan

Australia Celebrates Indigenous and Islander Culture

AUSTRALIAN HIGH COMMISSION
ISLAMABAD
 

2 July 2012

Press Release

Australia Celebrates Indigenous and Islander Culture

The Australian High Commission is proud to announce Australia’s celebration of NAIDOC (National Aboriginal and Islanders’ Day Observance Committee) Week from 1-8 July 2012.

NAIDOC Week is held in July every year as a way of promoting greater understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culture and to celebrate the survival of Indigenous culture and the Indigenous contribution to modern Australia.

The theme for NAIDOC week 2012 is "Spirit of the Tent Embassy: 40 years on”, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Canberra, Australia. This year’s theme celebrates the champions who lived to renew the spirit of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through the establishment of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in 1972. Forty years ago, the embassy became a powerful symbol of unity. Its founders instilled pride, advanced equality and educated the country on the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

In recognition of NAIDOC week, the Australian High Commission will be hosting a screening of the hit Australian musical film Bran Nue Dae, and will be flying the Aboriginal and Islander flags alongside the Australian flag.

NAIDOC Week also commemorates former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s historic formal apology issued to Indigenous Australians in February 2008. Although the apology was to all Australian Indigenous people, it was particularly directed towards those who as children were forcibly removed from their families under laws and policies of previous governments (known as the “Stolen Generations”).

The National Apology was a powerful act of reconciliation and national healing. The Australian Government is committed to building a genuine, sustained and constructive engagement and partnership with Indigenous people. The Apology has helped to start to build that trust and good faith.

More information can be found on the following websites:

http://australia.gov.au/about-australia/our-country/our-people/apology-to-australias-indigenous-peoples

http://www.naidoc.org.au/celebrating-naidoc-week/2012-national-naidoc-week-theme/
 

 

Contact: Melissa Kelly (051 8355346)