Fri, 2 Jun 2023
Categories: Students, International.
National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday), to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.
NAIDOC plays a crucial role in promoting cultural understanding reconciliation, and unity among all Australians. The theme for NAIDOC Week 2023, For Our Elders, celebrates our Elders across every generation, our Elders, who have played and continue to play, an important role and hold a prominent place in our communities and families. Our Elders are cultural knowledge holders, trailblazers, nurturers, advocates, teachers, survivors, leaders, hard workers, and our loved ones. They have guided our generations and have paved the way for us to take the paths we can take today. They have provided us with guidance, not only through generations of advocacy and activism, but in everyday life and how to place ourselves in the world.
This year's National NAIDOC Week Poster was created by Bobbi Lockyer.
About the artist
Bobbi Lockyer, a proud Ngarluma, Kariyarra, Nyulnyul and Yawuru artist, born and based on Kariyarra Country in Port Hedland, is the winner of the prestigious National NAIDOC Week Poster Competition for 2023 with her entry, For Our Elders.
“Where there is knowledge there are our Elders. Our Elders paved the pathways for us, taught us our knowledge, our history, they passed down their art, stories and wisdom. Our Elders are the foundation of our communities and role models for our children. With this poster I wanted to showcase how important our Elders are in passing down traditions and culture to our children and future.” said Bobbi.
Click here to watch the video to learn more about the incredible Bobbi Lockyer and her artwork.
Through various events and activities, NAIDOC Week encourages cross-cultural understanding, appreciation, and respect. It is a time to reflect on the contributions of Indigenous communities to the fabric of Australian society and to work towards reconciliation and justice. By participating in NAIDOC Week, we acknowledge the past, celebrate the present, and build a more inclusive and united future.
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