Running 8-15 November, Canberra Daily has compiled a list of many of the NAIDOC Week 2020 events across Canberra.
Usually held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, NAIDOC Week 2020 has been pushed back into November due to uncertainty surrounding the pandemic and COVID-19 restrictions.
NAIDOC Week 2020 presents a great opportunity to participate in a range of activities across Canberra, and to support your local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
AIATSIS Online Indigenous Art Market
For the first time ever, the AIATSIS Indigenous Art Market has gone virtual for 2020.
Works from hundreds of Indigenous artists, designers, weavers and carvers from art centres and communities across Australia are available now with 100% of profits going directly to the artists and their communities.
Illuminations of the National Carillon
Throughout NAIDOC Week 2020, works by Indigenous artists feature in a series of curated projections on Canberra’s National Carillon, in vibrant and bold colours expressing stories and culture from Aboriginal art centres and communities around Australia.
The featured works have been chosen from the over 150 artists participating in the AIATSIS Online Indigenous Art Market.
Smoking Ceremony
A celebration of rich cultural heritage performed by Gawura Cultural Immersions with Welcome to Country provided by local Ngunnawal Elder Selina Walker.
Experience and learn more about the traditional Smoking Ceremony and enjoy a dance performance honouring our First Nations people at 2 Constitution Avenue, Civic, Tuesday 10 November 12.15-1pm, registrations are essential via Eventbrite.
Black Divaz at the NFSA
Rescheduled due to COVID, NAIDOC Week now falls during Canberra’s Pride month, so to celebrate, the National Film and Sound Archive is screening a film about queer Indigenous identity.
What does it take to be crowned the winner of the inaugural Miss First Nation pageant? Find out by watching Black Divaz, a sassy, intimate portrait of what it means to be an Indigenous Drag Queen today. Screening Saturday 14 November 2pm at the Arc Cinema, Acton. Book now.
Ngunnawal Lecture with Linda Burney MP
University of Canberra celebrates NAIDOC Week 2020 with their annual Ngunnawal Lecture presented by The Hon Linda Burney MP. As a proud member of the Wiradjuri nation, Linda was the first Aboriginal person to be elected to the NSW Parliament and the first Aboriginal woman to serve in the Australian House of Representatives.
Register to attend in person (limited capacity) or tune in to the livestream on Thursday 12 November 6-7.30pm here: https://youtu.be/DNUtWGJNzUQ
NAIDOC Week Kambri concert
Join the Tjabal Indigenous Higher Education Centre at the open-air live concert in Kambri to celebrate NAIDOC Week this year at ANU.
Enjoy three live music sets featuring talented Indigenous musicians Em Fishpool, Jye Hopkins, and The Nightjars.
It will take place Thursday 12 November in the Kambri Amphitheatre, Acton, starting at 5.30pm; the event will also be livestreamed and can be watched via YouTube.
Indigenous Plant Workshop
Local small Aboriginal business Yurbay will co-host this workshop at the Canberra and Region Visitors Centre that will include plant identification, traditional Aboriginal plant uses and hands on experience.
It will run Wednesday 11 November 2.30-4pm; click here for more information.
My Country graphic intervention
The ever-popular DESIGN Canberra graphic intervention project will take on an Indigenous flavour this year with Luritja artist Kayannie Denigan’s installation, titled My Country, situated in front of the new CCAS Gallery in the Commonwealth Place Precinct, Parkes, until 29 November.
From an untouched landscape @ CCAS
In this exhibition at Canberra Contemporary Art Space, Parkes, Canberra artist James Tylor highlights the contemporary absence of Aboriginal culture within the Australian landscape and how this phenomenon is a direct result of the impact of European colonisation.
From an untouched landscape is on display until 29 November.
ACTCOSS Burrunju Aboriginal Art Workshop
The ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS) will host an Aboriginal Art Workshop event at Burrunju Aboriginal Art Gallery, situated within the Yarramundi Cultural Centre at 245 Lady Denman Drive – between the Botanic Gardens and the National Zoo and Aquarium.
in two sessions of 10 people on Tuesday 10 November, the first from 12pm-1.30pm and the second from 2-3.30pm, participants will contribute toward creating Aboriginal art on canvas.
The workshop will show participants how to create a design of traditional Aboriginal artwork where each participant will be putting their hand-prints on the painting plus painting dots and lines on the canvas.
The cost is $70 per person and tickets can be booked here.
NAIDOC in the North
Running from 8 to 15 November online and in various locations across north Canberra, NAIDOC in the North will feature a range of online performances from some of Canberra’s most accomplished Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists on the Belco Arts website.
There are also some intimate in-person experiences, including bush tucker and weaving demonstrations on Friday 13 November and a Cultural Showcase on Saturday 14 November in West Belconnen.
A Share your NAIDOC competition invites schools, early childhood centres and after school care programs to create a short video sharing the ways they are celebrating NAIDOC week.
Each submission will be featured online through the NAIDOC in the North Facebook event and website, and the most creative and passionate entry will win $500.
NAIDOC on The Porch with Bart Willoughby
Celebrate NAIDOC Week with singer songwriter and Pitjantjantjara /Mirning man Bart Willoughby as he demonstrates his 40 years’ music industry experience with Live from the Porch, a free event via Facebook Live.
A pioneering Aboriginal reggae artist, Willoughby was a founding member of No Fixed Address in the early 1980s and Mixed Relations in the 1990s, and his influence and artistry has forged a path for many to follow.
The performance will take place via Facebook Live, Thursday 12 November 7pm.
Story Time with Luke Carroll
The deadly Luke Carroll will join The National Centre of Indigenous Excellence (NCIE) for a special story-telling session on Wednesday 11 November 2pm during their online NAIDOC celebrations.
The Play School presenter will read stories supplied by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, which will be livestreamed on YouTube Live.
Visit the NCIE website for more info.
Virtual Indigenous Film Festival
Presenting award-winning Australian Indigenous films followed by live Q&A discussions and audience participation via Live Chat, the second Virtual Indigenous Film Festival will run from 11 to 15 November.
Over the five days there will be five film screenings, including: In My Own Words, The Song Keepers, The Flood, Wik vs Queensland and Westwind: Djalu’s Legacy.
Tickets for either individual virtual screening events or all access passes are available; for more information, visit fanforcetv.com
