2007 NAIDOC

2007 NAIDOC week has been set for 8-15 July with the theme: "50 years: Looking Forward, Looking Blak".

Here is their Media Release:

Celebrating 50 years of NAIDOC: Looking Forward, Looking Blak

Statement by National NAIDOC Week Chairperson, Aden Ridgeway

The National NAIDOC Committee will mark the 50th anniversary of NAIDOC with the deadly theme: 50 years: Looking Forward, Looking Blak.

The creation of the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance
Committee (NAIDOC) has its origins in the fight for Aboriginal rights
that began to gather pace in the 1920s and 1930s. Its precursors were
the Day of Mourning (26 January 1938) and Aboriginal Sunday that was
observed the Sunday before Australia Day starting in 1940. In 1957 a
National Aborigines Day Observance Committee (NADOC) was formed with
support and cooperation from Federal and State governments, the
churches and major Indigenous organisations. Its aim was to promote
Aboriginal Sunday as a day to focus community attention on the nations
Aboriginal people.!

After the 1967 Referendum and the establishment in 1972 of a Federal
Department of Aboriginal Affairs, the national focus on Indigenous
issues increased significantly. In 1974 NADOC became an all-Indigenous
committee, and in 1975 extended the Aboriginal Day to National
Aborigines Week, with celebrations held in July. In 1988 the
committees name was changed to NAIDOCNational Aborigines and Islanders
Day Observance Committeeto acknowledge Torres Strait Islander people.

The 50th anniversary for NAIDOC is a time for us to reflect on how far
we have come as Indigenous Australians and the significant
contribution we have made to shape this nation. Next year also marks
a significant milestone with the 40th anniversary of the 1967
Referendum.

As the theme for NAIDOC Week 2007 states, we need to look forward to
what we want Australia to be in 50 years time and where our people
will be. It is up to! all Australians to put the hard work in to
correct the inequalities still suffered by our people. Like the
origins of NAIDOC itself it needs all of usIndigenous Australians,
governments, and the wider Australian community to improve life
opportunities of Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders and
respect for our position and role in the life of the nation.

Symbolically, the National NAIDOC Awards and Ball will take place on
Black Friday (13 July 2007) in Darwin. The national NAIDOC Awards and
Ball will be the high point for NAIDOC Week 2007, with NAIDOC
celebrations being held the week of 8-15 July. Black Friday is ideal
to celebrate the 50th anniversary of NAIDOC and I imagine many
communities will embrace the coincidence of Black Friday in NAIDOC
Week, and will celebrate with creative activities and events around
the country.

I encourage all Australians to join with us to celebrate 50 years of
NAIDOC.

The National NAIDOC poster competition and nominations for the
National NAIDOC Awards open Monday 29 January, 2007. For more
information visit www.naidoc.org.au