We acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation as the traditional custodians of the country this story is published on.
NAIDOC week has kicked off and although this year’s celebrations are different from the past, there are still plenty of ways to get involved to honour the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
As well as virtually attending NAIDOC online events, reaching out to someone in the community, joining the #NAIDOC conversation online and more, consuming content that explores the culture, history and stories of Australia’s First People is an important way to enrich our knowledge and understanding in a long-term capacity.
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According to the official NAIDOC website, NAIDOC originally stood for ‘National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee’. The purpose of the week is to herald the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
NAIDOC week kicked off on July 4th and ends July 11th, though it’s important that the discussions and cultural celebrations do not end there.
This year’s theme is ‘Heal Country’. The official NAIDOC website reads, “For generations Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been calling for stronger measures to recognise, protect, and maintain all aspects of our culture and heritage for all Australians.
“We have continued to seek greater protections for our lands, our waters, our sacred sites and our cultural heritage from exploitation, desecration, and destruction.
“Healing Country means hearing those pleas to provide greater management, involvement, and empowerment by Indigenous peoples over country.
“Healing Country means embracing First Nation’s cultural knowledge and understanding of Country as part of Australia’s national heritage. That the culture and values of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders are respected equally to and the cultures and values of all Australians.”
The official website provides many suggestions as to how to get involved with this year’s theme, including, connecting to Country by going for a walk (COVID restrictions permitting), using native ingredients in the kitchen and consuming NAIDOC week programming.
And while many of us grapple with being homebound due to COVID-19, there is no time like the present to opt for the latter option.
So, we’ve compiled a list of content that explores the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across various streaming sites.
Netflix
- Beneath Clouds
- Bran Nue Dae
- Goldstone
- In My Blood It Runs
- Mad Bastards
- Our Law
- Satellite Boy
- Sweet Country
- The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith
- The Sapphires
- The Tracker
- Toomelah
- Walkabout
- Wrong kind Of Black
- Yolngu Boy
NITV and SBS
- Big Mob Brekky
- First Australians
- Going Places with Ernie Dingo
- Goldstone
- Island Paradise: Living In The Torres Strait
- Jasper Jones
- Living Black – Silence of the Stones
- Looky Looky Here Comes Cooky
- Samson and Delilah
- Sweet Country
- The Beach
- The Uluru Statement from the Heart
- Who Do You Think You Are? – Uncle Jack Charles
Find out more about the programs here.
What to look out for on NITV this week
Wednesday 7th July
- Mparntwe: Sacred Sites – 6.30PM
- Remaking The Pathway – 7.30PM
- Jedda – 9.30PM
Thursday 8th July
- Lost Diamonds – 6.30PM
- Connection To Country – 7.30PM
- Coniston – 8.30PM
- The Tracker -9.30PM
Friday 9th July
- The Kamilaroi – 6.30PM
- Goldstone – 9.30PM
Saturday 10th July
- Occupation: Native – 7.40PM
- Looky Looky Here Comes Cooky – 8.10PM
- Samson and Delilah – 9.30PM
Sunday 11th July
- Robbie Hood – 7.40PM
- History Bites Back – 8.40PM
Find out more about the programs here.
ABC TV and ABC iview
- Firestarter: The Story of Bangarra
- First Nation Farmers
- FREEMAN
- In My Blood It Runs
- Mabo
- Maralinga Tjarutja
- My Name is Gulpilil
- Red Dirt Riders
- Redfern Now
- The Australian Dream
- Total Control
Find out more about the programs here.
Stan
- Black Comedy
- Bran Nue Dae
- Cleverman (From July 8th)
- Mystery Road
- Redfern Now
- Samson and Delilah
- Sweet Country
- The Final Quarter
- The Flood
Binge
- Charlie’s Country
- Rabbit-Proof Fence
- Satellite Boy
- September
- Top End Wedding
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