Australia celebrates indigenous culture
AUSTRALIA: Australia celebrates its indigenous heritage this
week (8-15 July) in annual National Aborigines and Islanders Day
Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week celebrations.
NAIDOC Week is the outcome of a long history of Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander efforts to bring issues of interest and concern to
indigenous peoples to the attention of Governments and the public.
NAIDOC Week events highlight indigenous issues in Australia and
provide an opportunity to display the richness and diversity of
Australian Indigenous culture. Today it is celebrated not just in the
indigenous community, but also in Australian government agencies,
schools, local councils and workplaces.
The theme for NAIDOC 2007 is 50 years: Looking Forward, Looking Back
and reflects the contribution that the indigenous community has given to
the growth of Australia as a nation.
It is also an opportunity to look forward to the next 50 years of
Australia, to ensure that the indigenous culture and heritage is
preserved and respected and that there are opportunities for Aboriginal
people and Torres Strait Islanders to play a positive role in the life
of the nation.
The Australian High Commission in Colombo will mark NAIDOC Week by
screening several short films about indigenous Australians in today’s
society and also about Aboriginal legends or dream-time stories. |