NAIDOC Week began as a celebration by the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee, to recognise “the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.“ The NAIDOC tradition stretches back to the 1920s when Indigenous Australian activists protested Australia Day, both due to its colonial history and ongoing discrimination. Indigenous people did not get full rights to vote until 1962 in most states, with Queensland being the last state to grant this right in 1965. Two years later, the Australian referendum amended the Constitution to finally grant Indigenous people citizenship.
The first NADOC Day was held in 1974.
This year, NAIDOC began on the 6th of July and ends on the 13th of July. This year’s theme is, Serving Country: Centenary & Beyond. Events will commemorate the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have served in Australia’s Defence Forces.
Explore the local events in your area.
Learn more
- Sociology of Indigenous Australians: the historical, health and economic issues that impact the educational outcomes of Indigenous youth (on my research blog)
- Other socio-political issues facing Indigenous Australians (on my Tumblr)
- Indigenous art (on my art blog Antipodeans).
The Other Sociologist 