Published on 8 July 2021
NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life. Historically the name was ‘National Aboriginies and Islanders Day Observance Committee’ however is now known as NAIDOC.
Each year a different theme is carried out, this year being ‘Heal Country’. Healing Country means embracing First Nation’s cultural knowledge and understanding of Country as part of Australia's national heritage. That the culture and values of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders are respected equally to and the cultures and values of all Australians (NAIDOC).
The Camden Local Government Area (LGA) sits in traditional Dharawal lands and is a historically significant area in relation to local Aboriginal culture and heritage. Camden sits at the intersection of three tribal boundaries. The people of the Camden town location, the western Cowpastures and the adjoining mountainous areas were Gundungurra. The eastern Cowpastures were Tharawal, and the people to the northeast of the Nepean River were Dharug. To read more about the history of Camden you can visit the Camden History website.
Although we can’t all be together physically this NAIDOC week, we are encouraging everyone to participate in NAIDOC week in one or more of the following ways:
Acknowledgement to Country
Develop or learn an Acknowledgment of Country with your kids, have a listen to the one sung and actioned by our Camden Paint the Town REaD mascot Binyang the Bookasaurus, it is easy and fun for kids to learn. Dharawal People Song - YouTube
Storytime and books
Join our library staff and read along to a special NAIDOC themed story time.
To learn more about Aboriginal stories and culture, why not download our Children's Paint The Town REaD NAIDOC book list, all books can be borrowed from Camden's Libraries.
Purchasing First Nations books is becoming easier to access, even this book ‘We all Sleep’ by Ezekiel Kwaymullina and Sally Morgan is accessible via our libraries and even Kmart! Listen to a reading here.
Arts and Craft
Join the library as they show an example of a NAIDOC craft activity.
Click here for the 2021 NAIDOC colouring in poster. This is a great option for both kids and adults as a learning and mindfulness activity.
Explore more
If you are interested in reading, viewing or hearing about indigenous culture or experiences and want to find more resources, check out the resources supplied by the National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature. Or consider exploring the range of resources available on the NAIDOC week website.
#HealCountry
#NAIDOC2021