Published on Friday, 23 October 2020 at 2:50:05 PM
From art exhibitions to footy matches, the City of Vincent is delivering an exciting program of events to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of First Nations people as part of NAIDOC Week 2020.
Held between 8 – 15 November, NAIDOC Week is a chance for all Australians to come together to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Elder Uncle Noel Nannup will open celebrations in Vincent with a Welcome to Country ahead of a screening of Bran Nue Dae at Backlot Cinemas on 9 November.
Executive Director of Bran Nue Dae, Naomi Pigram, will give a rare insight into the original musical.
Backlot Cinemas will host another screening on 13 November, this time showing The Australian Dream – an Australian-produced documentary on the life of former AFL player Adam Goodes.
The screening will include a panel discussion headlined by former AFL superstar Des Headland and moderated by television host Lachy Reid.
Linton and Kay Galleries will host an exhibition ‘Stories of Country’ until November 15, featuring a carefully curated selection of paintings that reference ancient sites and stories of country.
NAIDOC Week celebrations will culminate with a free family football event at Leederville Oval on November 15, hosted by the City, East Perth Football Club and the Polly Farmer Foundation.
Former Brownlow Medallist Matt Priddis, retired Fremantle Docker Tendai Mzungu and former #1 AFL draft pick Des Headland will take part in an exhibition game. The event will also include a dance performance by Andrew Beck and his group and artwork by Tamara Hayden.
“NAIDOC Week is one of the most important events in our calendar and this year we’re delivering an exciting series of events in one of our favourite neighbourhoods, the Pickle District,” said Mayor Emma Cole.
“It’s our chance to celebrate the rich history, cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, while also providing opportunities for education and growth in our community.
“This year’s NAIDOC Week theme ‘Always Was, Always Will Be’ recognises that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have occupied and cared for this country for more than 65,000 years.
“It invites us to embrace and learn from the history and culture of this country, which dates back thousands of generations.
“Through NAIDOC Week we can continue to build meaningful relationships between us.
“As planning begins in Vincent for the next steps forward for our Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan, and we complete our Innovate RAP, we look forward to building an even deeper commitment to reconciliation within our community.”
NAIDOC Week is typically held in July, but this year celebrations were postponed by the national NAIDOC Committee in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Click here to see all the events happening during NAIDOC Week.
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