NAIDOC Week Celebration of Indigenous History

NAIDOC Week for 2022 has been launched with a wide range of activities set to take place across Western Australia. 

This year’s NAIDOC Week theme is “Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!” with people encouraged to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements. 

NAIDOC Week is held in the first full week of July, and the origins of the week can be traced to the emergence of Aboriginal groups in the 1920s, who sought to increase awareness in the wider community of the status and treatment of Indigenous Australians. 

Aboriginal and Inclusion Leader at the West Australian Football Commission, Phil Narkle, says the week is special. 

“It’s an opportunity to recognise and share the contributions that Indigenous Australians make to our country and society," Narkle said. 

"I value NAIDOC Week as a time for reflecting on all the achievements made by Indigenous people and a period for promoting Indigenous culture and history.." 

More than $200,000 is being invested into NAIDOC Round, courtesy of Rio Tinto, with activations across all areas of WA football. 

Funding from Rio Tinto assists clubs in producing gameday activities incorporating cultural awareness. 

There are a range of events to celebrate this important week. 

In the WAFL, Swan Districts is the marquee club for the weekend when they host Perth on Saturday afternoon. 

The day at Steel Blue Oval will feature a Welcome to Country, smoking ceremony, and the National Anthem. 

Activities include an Aboriginal themed face painter, a pre-game panel discussing YOKAI, an Australia Day documentary, a Marngrook game at half time, a didgeridoo performance and Madjitil Maali. 

Leading artist Kevin Bynder will produce a Swan Districts mural. 

Every WAFL club this weekend will wear a NAIDOC-designed jumper that aligns to a story as part of the round. 

The WACFL – Country Championships is also a major supporter of the week, staging several activities during the week. 

A community jumper competition, along with the Nicky Winmar and Kirby Bentley Carnival are just some of the other ways fans can embrace NAIDOC Week and the importance it has on the WA football calendar. 

For Narkle, NAIDOC Week is a journey he wants to share. 

“My favourite part of the week is the coming together as one to celebrate and enjoy this significant event with family, friends, and work colleagues.” 

NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee.