NAIDOC Week – Aussie of the Month

NAIDOC Week is held in the first full week of July annually, with the 2024 dates being 7-14 July. It’s a time to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements and is an opportunity to recognise the contributions that Indigenous Australians make to our country and our society. Selecting your Aussie of the Month could be linked to a NAIDOC Week assembly through considering a student who has embraced learning about the Indigenous culture.

Activity Options

Hold an Assembly

Open the assembly with an acknowledgement of the traditional land owners. Invite an Aboriginal Elder to conduct a smoking ceremony, or a musical performance. The Elder could give a speech on a story about Aboriginal culture regarding the Aboriginal flag, their food, arts and crafts, dreamtime or a significant historical event.

Learn an Aboriginal language

The Australian Aboriginal languages consist of around 290–363 languages belonging to an estimated 28 language families and isolates. Let’s aim 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.

Talking Points

Describing the concept of ‘Indigenous people’.
Understanding Aboriginal cultural significance.
What is the history of the local Aboriginal people?
Discuss some famous Aboriginal People who have been celebrated by society.

Resources

There are plenty of tools and ideas to help your students get involved in NAIDOC Week. Click below to access them.

Presenting your Aussie of the Month during NAIDOC Week

To help present the award, you could invite:

An Aboriginal Elder
An Aboriginal artist, sportsperson or community representative