Held in partnership with the Victorian NAIDOC Committee, the incredible talents and contributions of Aboriginal Victorians will be showcased at a virtual event to celebrate NAIDOC Week on Saturday 10 July 2021.
Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin AO will open the event with a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony. This will be followed by talks from Gunditjimara artist and academic, Dr Vicki Couzens, the Victorian NAIDOC Committee’s Honorary Elder, Aunty Pam Pedersen OAM, and Chairperson, Stacie Piper.
The event will also include contributions from the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation and performances by Nyikina dancer Sermsah Bin Saah, and Gunai and Gunditjmara singer/storyteller Monica Jasmine Karo.
This year’s NAIDOC theme of ‘Heal Country’ recognises the spiritual, physical, emotional, social, and cultural connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to Country.
The Victorian Government has invested $90,000 to support the Victorian NAIDOC Committee’s 2021 events, including the NAIDOC Awards, Flag Raising Ceremony, LGBTQIA+ Pride Crowning, NAIDOC March and the NAIDOC Ball.
“NAIDOC Week’s theme of Heal Country recognises that Country is more than a place for Aboriginal Victorians – it’s central to Aboriginal identity,” said Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Gabrielle Williams.
“We are proud to partner with the Victorian NAIDOC Committee to elevate Aboriginal voices and celebrate the rich histories and cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria.”
Victoria’s NAIDOC Week virtual event Heal Country, heal our nation will commence at 7:30pm on Saturday 10 July and is available to watch at: www..
NAIDOC Week this year includes a range of online and in-person events. For more information, visit: www.
Image: Maggie-Jean Douglas, Care for Country, 2021 (detail) – courtesy of NAIDOC © Commonwealth of Australia