NAIDOC Week celebrates learning and respect

This NAIDOC Week Queenslanders are being encouraged to make a real effort to learn about Australia’s indigenous history and culture.

Treasurer and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Curtis Pitt said he hoped all Queenslanders joined in the celebrations of NAIDOC Week 2015, with events running right around the state through to Sunday July 12.

“Acknowledging the rich traditions of Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people was important for the whole community,” Mr Pitt said.

“For the last 24 years NAIDOC Week has provided an opportunity for everyone to learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and history.

“This is a modern acknowledgement and celebration of our first people’s history, culture and achievements as well as their ongoing contributions to our country.

“It’s also an opportunity for Queenslanders to learn more about the culture of Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people, to get involved in their local communities and to connect with a significant part of our past, present and future.

“This year’s theme, We all Stand on Sacred Ground: Learn, Respect and Celebrate, specifically recognises Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ strong spiritual and cultural connection to land and sea.

“It encourages us all to celebrate local and national sites of significance or ‘sacred places’ and to learn their traditional names, history and stories.

“This is a great opportunity to connect with our local Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people in Queensland, to learn about our regions and to share in the significance they have to them.”

With community events and activities planned right around Queensland, you can find out what’s happening in your area by visiting: www.datsip.qld.gov.au/datsima/events.

For further information on NAIDOC Week visit www.naidoc.org.au/.

Media contact:  0419 945 546