National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) is a week from 3 to 10 July where Australians can celebrate its First Nations culture and history and take the time to ‘Get Up, Stand Up, Show Up’ – the theme of this year’s celebration.
The Northern Rivers encompasses the Bundjalung, Gumbaynggirr and Yaegl nations with celebrations taking place up and down the coast.
NAIDOC Week events
Ballina Annual NAIDOC Celebration Walk
The Ballina Shire Council are inviting the community to ‘walk with us in a movement of the Australian people for a better future’ in the annual NAIDOC Celebration Walk on Monday 4 July 2022. Starting at the Ballina RSL Club the walk will proceed along River Street and Cherry Street to the Ballina Indoor Sports Centre (BiSC) for the official ceremony. Refreshments, BBQ, stalls and games will be at the BiSC.
15th Arakwal NAIDOC Week Short Films Screening Byron Bay
The 15th Byron Arakwal NAIDOC Week Short Films Screening is being held from 6:30pm on Tuesday 5 July at the Byron Theatre. Presented by the Arakwal Corporation, Flickerfest & iQ Inc the program promises an inspiring evening of aboriginal storytelling celebrating NAIDOC Week 2022 and this years theme ‘Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!’. Full event details are available from the iQ Inc website with ticket purchases from the Byron Theatre.
Bundjalung Minyungbal Art and Kultcha event
A three day coming together of Kultcha, language, musicians and more will be taking place at Crabbes Creek Hall from teh 7–10 July to raise money to build a Bungalung Healing Centre.
Thursday is the Offfical Opening of the Art Exhibition and each day starts with a smoking ceremony at 10am. A Kultcha program for jar jums (kids) and parents runs from 10.30am–12.30pm. The afternoon features activities around the fire, musicians playing.
The event is being put on by the Merrigingi Foundation, a newly established not for profit Indigenous organisation on Budjalung Country.
‘Its mission is to promote Indigenous culture, art, lore and healing to the community. One of the Foundations major projects will be the creation of a Bundjalung Healing Centre,’ they state in their press release.
‘The phrase Yirrabal-Gulli Merrigingi means to turn one’s whole being around – a spiritaul awakening.’
Entry by donation.
Tweed NAIDOC Week Dinner Dance
Tweed NAIDOC Dinner Dance 2022 is being held from 6:15pm to 11:55pm on Friday 8 July at Coolangatta & Tweed Heads Golf Club in the Balcony Bar. Tickets can be booked online.
NAIDOC week in the Clarence Valley
NAIDOC celebrations in the Clarence Valley include a week full of activities for all ages.
- Opening Ceremony and morning tea, 10.30am Monday 4 July at Yamba Museum.
- Yaegl Elders Lunch 11.30am Tuesday 5 July at Botero Cafe Maclean. Free lunch, limited seats – book on 0432 341 545.
- NAIDOC activities at Grafton Library in partnership with Mudyala Aboriginal Corporation with special guests Michael Laurie and Manduway Dutton on Tuesday, 5 July.
- 10.30am-12pm: Art, painting and language for ages 12 and under
- 2.30-4pm: Song writing and music creation for 12+
- Community Day from 9.30am Wednesday 6 July at Maclean Showground including free lunch and cultural activities.
- Terry Randall Memorial Reconciliation NAIDOC Golf Day from 9.30am Friday 8 July at Maclean Golf Club. $50 includes lunch, shirt and prizes. Book on 6645 2183.
- InlandSee opening gala 3-5pm Saturday 9 July at Grafton Regional Gallery – exhibition installed across the entire gallery.
- Funded through Create NSW, InlandSee showcases intriguing, innovative approaches to visual art from 26 artistic voices and provides a snapshot of current visual art practice in NSW.
- (Please note the gallery will be closed from 3-9 July for exhibition changeover)
- Inland Seekers at Grafton Regional Gallery: 9 July – 11 September.
- Accompanying Inland See will be a creative space to encourage young visitors to join a treasure hunt and help transform the gallery over the course of the exhibition. Work with teams of one Elder and one artist from each of the Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung and Yaegl nations to share a story using an artform.
