NAIDOC Week 2024 Shines Spotlight on Indigenous Culture in Cessnock
Published on 14 June 2024
A fantastic program, for everyone to enjoy, has been planned to celebrate NAIDOC Week 2024 in the Cessnock Local Government Area.
The annual event, running from 7-14 July, is a great opportunity to recognise, enjoy and learn about Indigenous culture within the community.
The theme for this year’s NAIDOC Week is Keep the fire burning! Blak, Loud and Proud, honouring the enduring strength and vitality of First Nations Culture, with fire a symbol of connection to Country, to each other, and to the rich tapestry of traditions that define Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Cessnock City Mayor Jay Suvaal encouraged the local community to check out the program and join the NAIDOC Week activities.
"Getting involved in NAIDOC Week is a wonderful way to connect with and learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture," said Clr Suvaal.
"It’s fantastic to see such a wide range of events in a collaboration involving so many community groups and providing so many different opportunities for local residents to get involved."
To mark the occasion, amongst a number of events, the Hunter Valley Visitor Information Centre will showcase the ‘Les Elvin Kungera Art Gallery’ daily, a Barkuma NAIDOC Family Fun Day will be held at Binarri Jinama-Gu on Tuesday 9 July, and a community lunch including Welcome to Country and a Smoking Ceremony with Wonnarua Elder Uncle Warren Taggart, will be hosted by the Centre at Kurri Kurri, Kurri Kurri Rotary, Mai-Wel and Castle Employment on Thursday 11 July.
For the little ones, Cessnock and Kurri Kurri Libraries will host a NAIDOC Week Storytime presented by Rainbow Crow Cultural Collective on Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 July, including storytelling, movement and nature-based craft to introduce children to Wayapa Wuurrk, an Aboriginal based earth mindfulness.
The 2024 festivities will culminate in a day of performance, workshops and community on Saturday 13 July at Cessnock TAFE Grounds.
To view the full program, head to our Events page.