National Aboriginal & Islander Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week has a long history within the Indigenous community. It is of great importance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as a time to respect and revere some of the heroes involved in past struggles and to celebrate cultural survival. Generally observed in all capital cities and in many regional areas during the first full week of July, NAIDOC celebrations involve a week of community-based activities flag-raising ceremonies, concerts, religious services, art exhibitions, and sporting events organised by Indigenous people and supporters to increase awareness and understanding of their rich heritage.
NAIDOC Week was first commemorated on the Northern Beaches in 1992. Manly Council resolved that recognition should be given to NAIDOC Week and formed a planning committee comprised of councillors and a range of people from the community, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal. Members of the ASG were included and continue to be represented on this body.
The them, Manly Council’s support of NAIDOC Week led the way for all of the then three Peninsula Councils (Pittwater, Warringah, Manly) to get involved in subsequent years. In 1993, the Aboriginal flag flew all along the Northern Beaches during NAIDOC Week and each year since then, many community events have been organised to mark this special week. Local government symbolically raising the flag, celebrating Indigenous culture, and acknowledging Aboriginal concerns are all positive and concrete steps toward community acceptance and recognition of Aboriginal people and their important contribution to Australian identity.
For information on NAIDOC Week celebrations on the Northern Beaches contact The Northern Beaches Council or check out the Calendar section of this website.