NAIDOC Week is held from Sunday 4 July until Sunday 11 July 2021, with the theme this year being ‘Heal Country!’.

Heal Country calls for greater protections for lands, waters, sacred sites and cultural heritage from exploitation, desecration, and destruction.

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NAIDOC 2021 invites the nation to embrace First Nations’ cultural knowledge and understanding of Country as part of Australia’s national heritage and equally respect the culture and values of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders as they do the cultures and values of all Australians.

For generations, the traditional owners of this land have been calling for stronger measures to recognise, protect, and maintain all aspects of culture and heritage and are still waiting for these protections.

A representative of the National NAIDOC Committee (NNC) said, “Healing Country means finally resolving many of the outstanding injustices which impact on the lives of our people.

“It is about hearing and acting on the aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples which are the culmination of generations of consultation and discussions among our nations on a range of issues and grievances.

“After 250 years, our children and our future generations deserve better.

“We cannot afford to let pass the very real opportunity that now presents itself for reform based on a fundamental change in the relationship Australia has with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”

Port Stephens locals can celebrate NAIDOC Week through a series of events including:

Monday 5 July- Raymond Terrace flag raising and breakfast from 8:30am at Council’s Administration Building, 116 Adelaide Street, Wednesday 7 July- Nelson Bay Family Fun Day hosted by Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council and Worimi Conservation Lands from 10am-2pm at Nelson Bay Foreshore Park, Arts workshop and creation of mural the same day from 10am-2pm at Karuah Local Aboriginal Land Council Community Hall and Thursday 8 July- Screening of Michael’s Lore: Grave Injustice from 5:30-7:30pm at Raymond Terrace Library.

Heal Country, heal our nation.

By Tara CAMPBELL