First Australians
The Noongar/Bibbulmun people are the Traditional Owners of the South West of Western Australia. The City of South Perth is located on Whadjak Noongar Country and we acknowledge the continuing connection Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have to this land.
For a number of years, the City has been working with local Aboriginal people and the community to build relationships, trust and understanding on our journey of reconciliation.
NAIDOC Week
NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to celebrate the rich history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The City celebrates NAIDOC Week in July each year, by partnering with community organisations and local Noongar community members to host a series of events. Visit the Events section of the website to find out more.
Related news
City to celebrate NAIDOC Week 2017
The City of South Perth will celebrate NAIDOC Week 2017, which runs 2-9 July with a series of events to acknowledge the richness of Aboriginal history, culture and achievements.
All members of the community are invited to attend the City’s Flag Raising Ceremony at 10am, Tuesday 4 July at the South Perth Community Hall, followed by a free morning tea for all attendees. Miss NAIDOC Kearah Ronan Yamatji (Nhanada/Wadjari) woman will speak at the ceremony, which will honour the Aboriginal community in the City and the culture of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples throughout Australia.
As part of the week-long celebrations, children are encouraged to take part in NAIDOC Children's Arts and Crafts at the South Perth and Manning Library. The free workshops will explore the rich and vibrant Indigenous culture.
The City will also host a special event with linguist Denise Smith-Ali at South Perth Library. Ms Smith-Ali is a Noongar woman from the south west of Western Australia, and the custodian of two clans, Kaneang and Wilman of the Noongar Nation. Her early focus on educating young people and engaging them in their linguistic roots has shifted to documenting creation and ancestral stories that relate to country. Today, Denise produces resources to support Noongar language education in traditional and contemporary contexts, records and documents ancestral language and knowledgeand supports community awareness programs. Without Denise’s contribution, the Noongar language may no longer be active. Denise not only volunteers with the Noongar community in Perth, she donates her time and expertise to Aboriginal language communities throughout Australia, helping them to keep their languages alive.
Deputy Mayor Glenn Cridland acknowledged the vital importance of NAIDOC Week and the events taking place across the City and throughout Australia.
“The City of South Perth is proud to support and host activities during NAIDOC Week. It is an important opportunity for all Australians to celebrate the rich history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” Deputy Mayor Cridland said.
NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. Its origins can be traced to the emergence of Aboriginal groups in the 1920s which sought to increase awareness in the wider community of the status and treatment of Indigenous Australians.
The importance, resilience and richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages will be the focus of national celebrations in 2017.
This year’s theme ‘Our Languages Matter’ aims to emphasise and celebrate the unique and essential role that Indigenous languages play in cultural identity, linking people to their land and water and in the transmission of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, spirituality and rites, through story and song.
NAIDOC Children's Arts and Crafts at South Perth Library
When: 9.30-11am, Monday 3 July
Where: South Perth Library, Cnr Sandgate St & South Tce, South Perth
Cost: Free, no bookings required.
Find out more
NAIDOC Flag Raising Ceremony & Morning Tea
When: 10am, Tuesday 4 July 2016
Where: Flag poles in front of the South Perth Community Hall,
Cnr Sandgate St & South Tce, South Perth
Cost: Free, no bookings required.
Find out more
NAIDOC Children's Arts and Crafts at Manning Library
When: 9.30-11am, Wednesday 5 July
Where: Manning Library, 2 Conochie Cres, Manning
Cost: Free, no bookings required.
Find out more
Our Languages Matter: Denise Smith-Ali
When: 6.30-8pm, Tuesday 11 July
Where: South Perth Library, Cnr Sandgate St & South Tce, South Perth
Cost: Free, bookings essential
Register here
All members of the community are invited to attend the City’s Flag Raising Ceremony at 10am, Tuesday 4 July at the South Perth Community Hall, followed by a free morning tea for all attendees. Miss NAIDOC Kearah Ronan Yamatji (Nhanada/Wadjari) woman will speak at the ceremony, which will honour the Aboriginal community in the City and the culture of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples throughout Australia.
As part of the week-long celebrations, children are encouraged to take part in NAIDOC Children's Arts and Crafts at the South Perth and Manning Library. The free workshops will explore the rich and vibrant Indigenous culture.
The City will also host a special event with linguist Denise Smith-Ali at South Perth Library. Ms Smith-Ali is a Noongar woman from the south west of Western Australia, and the custodian of two clans, Kaneang and Wilman of the Noongar Nation. Her early focus on educating young people and engaging them in their linguistic roots has shifted to documenting creation and ancestral stories that relate to country. Today, Denise produces resources to support Noongar language education in traditional and contemporary contexts, records and documents ancestral language and knowledgeand supports community awareness programs. Without Denise’s contribution, the Noongar language may no longer be active. Denise not only volunteers with the Noongar community in Perth, she donates her time and expertise to Aboriginal language communities throughout Australia, helping them to keep their languages alive.
Deputy Mayor Glenn Cridland acknowledged the vital importance of NAIDOC Week and the events taking place across the City and throughout Australia.
“The City of South Perth is proud to support and host activities during NAIDOC Week. It is an important opportunity for all Australians to celebrate the rich history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” Deputy Mayor Cridland said.
NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. Its origins can be traced to the emergence of Aboriginal groups in the 1920s which sought to increase awareness in the wider community of the status and treatment of Indigenous Australians.
The importance, resilience and richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages will be the focus of national celebrations in 2017.
This year’s theme ‘Our Languages Matter’ aims to emphasise and celebrate the unique and essential role that Indigenous languages play in cultural identity, linking people to their land and water and in the transmission of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, spirituality and rites, through story and song.
NAIDOC Children's Arts and Crafts at South Perth Library
When: 9.30-11am, Monday 3 July
Where: South Perth Library, Cnr Sandgate St & South Tce, South Perth
Cost: Free, no bookings required.
Find out more
NAIDOC Flag Raising Ceremony & Morning Tea
When: 10am, Tuesday 4 July 2016
Where: Flag poles in front of the South Perth Community Hall,
Cnr Sandgate St & South Tce, South Perth
Cost: Free, no bookings required.
Find out more
NAIDOC Children's Arts and Crafts at Manning Library
When: 9.30-11am, Wednesday 5 July
Where: Manning Library, 2 Conochie Cres, Manning
Cost: Free, no bookings required.
Find out more
Our Languages Matter: Denise Smith-Ali
When: 6.30-8pm, Tuesday 11 July
Where: South Perth Library, Cnr Sandgate St & South Tce, South Perth
Cost: Free, bookings essential
Register here
Media contact
For media enquiries, please contact the City’s Communications Officer.
- Phone 9474 0777
- Email media@southperth.wa.gov.au
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