The Western Australian Museum is joining national celebrations for NAIDOC Week from 5 – 12 July, to recognise and honour the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

WA Museum CEO Alec Coles said the Museum is proud to support and participate in NAIDOC Week each year and encourages its visitors to take part in events organised across its metropolitan and regional sites.

“It is important that NAIDOC Week is embraced by all Australians as we seek to promote better understanding of the place of Australia’s first peoples of our nation,” Mr Coles said.

“NAIDOC stands for ‘National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee’, the committee which was once responsible for organising national activities during NAIDOC Week.

“Now events are organised by communities across Australia and the Museum is proud to be part of sharing that very significant sense of people and place.”

This year’s theme is ‘We all stand on Sacred Ground’ and is about learning, respecting and celebrating all aspects of Aboriginal culture. Activities occurring at the WA Museum include:

Sunday 5 July 12pm-4pm.
NAIDOC Opening Ceremony Wellington Square, East Perth.
The WA Museum’s stall will have information on its activities for NAIDOC Week as well as its existing exhibitions which celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ culture, history and achievements.

Tuesday 5 July – 10 October. Ilgari Wangga (Sky Talk) exhibition
This exhibition celebrates the customs, stories and beliefs connected to the Sky and Universe by Yamaji Artists including contemporary elements shared through collaborations with astrophysicists who worked on the Square Kilometre Array project.

Wednesday 8 July. Synergies: Walking Together-Belonging to Country
This film celebrates the remarkable similarities between Nyungar knowledge and Western science, featuring Nyungar elder, Dr Noel Nannup and Professor Stephen D. Hopper.

Two viewing sessions will be held in the Tunnel and are scheduled for a 10am and 1pm start.

The Museum’s permanent exhibition in Perth, Katta Djinoong: First Peoples of Western Australia, depicts the history and culture of the Aboriginal peoples of Western Australia from past to present. Katta Djinoong is a Noongar term that means “see and understand us”.

“We encourage everyone to participate in the celebrations and activities taking place across our State and nation during NAIDOC Week,” Mr Coles said.

The WA Museum’s Albany and Kalgoorlie-Boulder sites will also be celebrating NAIDOC Week. Information about the activities can be found at www.museum.wa.gov.au