SSI NAIDOC Week celebrations promote Indigenous economy and self-determination 

Settlement Services International (SSI) is observing NAIDOC Week this year by not only celebrating First Nations art and culture but also contributing to the Indigenous economy and self-determination.

Bunuwa Designs Owner/Artist Adam Spencer, Gomeroi man from Moree, NSW; and painting
and artefacts created by Owner/ Artist of Garruka Arts, Thunghutti/Dunghutti man,
Tyler Stackman-Green.

SSI will be displaying and exhibiting First Nations Art and handmade items by emerging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and small business owners from various NSW locations.

Items will be on show at SSI offices in Ashfield and Bankstown for clients, visitors and staff to admire, learn about and purchase.

National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday), to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Nicole Beaver, SSI’s Indigenous Inclusion and Reconciliation Lead, said, “It is a great opportunity for us to immerse ourselves in the amazing culture of the oldest living Peoples in the world. We encourage everyone to find and attend NAIDOC Week events happening in their local area.”

SSI teams will be out and about during the week. SSI NDIS Local Area Coordinators will be attending these events in Sydney:

• Tuesday, July 5, Prairiewood (weather permitting): NAIDOC Family Fun Day
• Thursday, July 14, Airds: Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation NAIDOC Family Fun Day: 10am – 2pm, Airds High School. FREE event.
• Tuesday, September 27, Marrickville: AbSec NAIDOC Family Fun Day

Access team members will be attending these events in Logan, QLD:

• Wednesday, July 6, Logan: Gunya Meta NAIDOC Expo: 10am – 12pm, 81 Wembley Road (next door to Gateway). Barbecue for lunch.
• Wednesday, August 17 (postponed from July), Logan: Logan District NAIDOC

Ms Beaver said the Armidale and Region Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place Inc, located on the home of the Anaiwan people, had been generous in lending Settlement Services International some of its amazing art from local Aboriginal artists.

“We also have art and handmade items from Aboriginal artists from Kamilaroi/Gomeroi (Moree), Wiradjuri Tubba-gah people (Dubbo region), Wiradjuri Galari Bila (Wiradjuri nation Lachlan River – Condobolin, NSW), Thunghutti/Dunghutti (Walcha) as well as local Aboriginal artists from Dharug and Eora on display,” she said.

See information about more NAIDOC Week activities here.

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About NAIDOC Week

NAIDOC stands for ‘National Aboriginal and Islanders Day Observance Committee’. Its origins can be traced to the emergence of Aboriginal groups in the 1920′s which sought to increase awareness in the wider community of the status and treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. You can support and get to know your local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities through activities and events held across the country.

Media enquiries: 

SSI Senior Communications Officer, Rebeka Selmeczki;

E: 0468 998 300, M: rselmeczki@ssi.org.au