It’s NAIDOC Week: how to celebrate and respect our First Nations peoples
Welcome to NAIDOC Week, when communities come together through events, activities and gatherings to pay respect to the enduring traditions and contemporary diversities of all First Nations peoples.
At Deakin, we are:
… committed to Reconciliation and Treaty, advancing the educational aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, and moving Indigenous Knowledges into the mainstream of Australian life. All our endeavours aim to reflect Australia’s full history and seek to build an inclusive future.
This NAIDOC Week, which runs until Sunday 10 July, we acknowledge the 2022 theme of Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!. We pledge to use our position to call out racism, support reconciliation, and work to secure meaningful and sustainable cultural and social change.
How you can support NAIDOC Week
There’s so much happening, so make sure you visit our NAIDOC Week events page for a full list of Deakin and community events. We’ll also continue to mark NAIDOC Week during Week 1 of Trimester 2 (Monday 11 to Friday 15 July), so make the most of your visits to campus and get involved.
Join us for a Welcome to Country
One important way to celebrate NAIDOC Week is to attend a Welcome to Country. This important tradition, which has been performed by Traditional Custodians on this continent for many thousands of years, offers visitors safe passage and protection of their spiritual being while they are on someone else’s Country. These ceremonies can have varying formats, from speeches of welcome to traditional dance or smoking ceremonies, and can sometimes be accompanied by music.
All are welcome to attend the Welcome to Country ceremonies at Burwood, Waurn Ponds and Warrnambool:
- Burwood: Join Traditional Custodian Ian Hunter as he welcomes attendees onto Wurundjeri Country
When: Monday 11 July, 4.15–4.45pm
Where: Burwood Student Residences (back deck of Building MB or Building MC multipurpose room if it’s raining) - Warrnambool: Eastern Maar Elder Uncle Robbie Lowe will welcome attendees onto Country
When: Wednesday 13 July, 3–3.30pm
Where: Indigenous Garden near Student Residences (Building P – ask reception for directions if it’s raining) - Waurn Ponds: Traditional Custodian Nikki Mackenzie will welcome attendees onto Wadawurrung Country, along with a didgeridoo performance from Norm Stanley
When: Friday 15 July, 3.15–3.45pm
Where: Student Residences Village Green (adjacent to Building FY or inside if it’s raining).
View campus maps for Burwood, Warrnambool and Waurn Ponds.
Attend a screening of Off Country
There’s limited spots left at the free screening of Off Country , so don’t miss this engrossing film about seven Indigenous students who spend a year at one of the most elite boarding schools in the country:
When: Wednesday 6 July, 5pm
Where: Geelong Village Cinemas, 194–200 Ryrie St
Register now.
You can also …
- listen out for the deadly Indigenous playlist being played around our campuses this week
- check out our recent blog on Reconciliation Week to learn more about how you can take practical steps to achieve reconciliation in Australia – from calling out racism to performing an Acknowledgement of Country.
- see how we’re working to nurture a connected, safe and respectful community at Deakin
- visit the NAIDOC Week website for more information and resources.