NAIDOC Week -- Creative Communities

 This week, we have been preparing for celebrating NAIDOC Week at a private hospital in Brisbane. The celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture is for all Australians, held from 8-15 November. The usual annual NAIDOC celebration held in July, was postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The idea is to provide art and craft materials in the social areas of the ward, for people to participate if they want to. The theme "Always Was, Always Will Be," recognises that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years.  Read more on the NAIDOC website. https://www.naidoc.org.au/get-involved/2020-theme

The kit includes a red tub with wool in the colours of the Aboriginal flag, and chubby colouring-in pencils. Colouring sheets are provided with some stencils for drawing Australian native animals (https://www.brisbanekids.com.au/aboriginal-colouring-pages/). The green tub contains 8-ply yarn in the colours of the Torres Strait Islander flag (white, blue, green). Knitting needles, crochet hooks, coloured paper, glue,blue tac, and scissors are provided. 

Hand sanitiser is used before and after touching the materials, for hygiene in the pandemic period. The yarn can be placed in brown paper bags, or certain lengths of wool can be provided for individual use. Frequent sanitisation is recommended to keep supplies clean, according to the Queensland Health guidelines and working according to the movement and gathering legislation (https://www.health.qld.gov.au/system-governance/legislation/cho-public-health-directions-under-expanded-public-health-act-powers/movement-gathering-direction).

The photographs show examples for setting up a NAIDOC Week creative arts station at your workplace, home, or community centre.


Recommend that celebrations are organised and led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as far as possible. This is a great opportunity to connect with people across the neighbourhood, and to meet with community groups in your local area. 

Art works can be displayed along with NAIDOC logo and banners available at: https://www.naidoc.org.au/resources/naidoc-logo-and-banners 

Teaching aids and resources are available on the NAIDOC 2020 website, along with this poster:



The resource information in this blog is general, and not intended as specific advice for individuals or specific locations. Always consult with cultural leaders in your area and follow local cultural protocols.


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