Celebrate NAIDOC week with these Perth events
NAIDOC week is a time to celebrate the rich history, culture, knowledge, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
This year’s theme? Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!
It’s a call to action, to continue to push for systemic change and rally around our communities while continuing to celebrate the many who have driven and led change over generations.
Events and activities will be popping up all around Perth (Whadjuk) over the 3rd to 10th of July, and are open for people from all walks of life to participate and support your local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
We can always immerse ourselves in more learning and understanding, and NAIDOC week is the perfect opportunity to recognise and reflect.
NAIDOC Perth Opening Ceremony
To officially launch the week of celebrations, head to Supreme Court Gardens on July 3rd for an energising opening ceremony.
The event will showcase performances from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and performers alongside community stalls, activities for the little ones, face painting, and tasty traditional food vans.
- When: Sunday 3rd of July, 1pm – 5pm
- Where: Supreme Court Gardens
AGWA
Get creative while learning about Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander culture.
AGWA will be holding a range of exciting activities over NAIDOC week from readings by First Nations peoples authors/illustrators, hands on workshops where you’ll learnt to sculpt small creatures out of raffia and wool or craft calico dolls, and interactive Boorloo dance workshops.
They’ll also be having local rapper Joshua “Flewnt MC” Eggington performing at AGWA Rooftop on the 9th of July alongside a lineup of DJs to fill your Saturday night, which you can get tickets for HERE.
NAIDOC Week at Karrinyup
Karrinyup shopping centre is set to become a platform for First Nations Peoples artists, cooks, and creatives to showcase themselves through meaningful and immersive experiences in the centre.
Running from the 3rd of July through to the 10th, shoppers and visitors can get involved in a range of activities and displays from bush tucker sampling with Dale Tilbrook to basket weaving workshops, painting workshops, and educational workshops.
You can also marvel at a stunning digitally designed artwork display by Joan Martin and Sam Price projected onto the screens overlooking the West Deck outdoor dining area, or be inspired by Nyungar linework with Justin Martin’s breathtaking art piece.
- When: Sunday 3rd of July – 10th July
- Where: Karrinyup Shopping Centre
Moort-Mokiny Mereny Bidi
Raine Square is celebrating NAIDOC Week with their Moort-Mokiny Mereny Bidi (First Nations Food Journey).
The activation celebrates native foods and their alignment with the six Noongar seasons, and passers-by will be able to get their hands on a free locally inspired recipe card to try at home. The cards include dishes from Carpaccio with Western Australian Samphire to Blueberry Lily Berries and Raspberry Muffins and Kangaroo Stew.
You can also find two pieces of artwork from local Indigenous artists, both from local social enterprise uneARThed which exists to support artists affected by homelessness in Perth.
- When: 5th July – 10th July
- Where: Raine Square, near Coles
Take Heart: Deadly Heart Screening
View a powerful and very important documentary about Rheumatic Heart Disease- a preventable childhood illness takes the lives of two Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples every week.
The screening will take place at The Backlot Cinema and features a chorus of First Nation’s voices raising awareness and calling on the government to fund the community-led prevention methods that can eliminate RHD.
- When: Sunday 3rd of July
- Where: The Backlot 21 Simpson St, West Perth
- Tickets HERE
Youth Focus and 1OFF Store
Youth Focus has joined forces with 1OFF store to create an opportunity for young people in
Meekatharra to express their cultural heritage through art for NAIDOC Week 2022.
Each week, young people at Meekatharra High School will attend the Youth Focus office to design and create artwork for a pair of Air Force sneakers, with two winning designs being chosen by the community to be gifted to a West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers player.
Students have also been working on designing a range of NAIDOC themed t-shirts and hoodies that will be up for grabs on Saturday 10th July at the 1OFF Kings Street Store, with all profits going back to the community.
- When: Saturday July 10 from 10:30 am
- Where: 49a King Street, Perth
Live Music: Clive Morrison and Indigo Ellis
The Old Midland Courthouse will be sending out acoustic tunes on July 8th with local Indigenous musicians taking to the stage on July 8th.
Two such performers include Clive Morrison and his authentic country music and Indigo Ellis who has played at numerous NAIDOC events and festivals previously.
- When: Friday 8th of July
- Where: Old Midland Courthouse, Midland
- Register to attend HERE
NAIDOC Week Art Exhibition
Immerse yourself in colourful Aboriginal art with a selection of pieces at Linton & Kay Galleries.
Entry is free, and the paintings by local artists will explore generations of celebrated country and First Nations’ culture.
- When: Friday July 1st – Tuesday July 19th
- Where: Linton & Kay Galleries, 11 Old Aberdeen Place, West Perth
GOOLOGOOLUP NAIDOC Screenings: Indigenous Art on Screen
Northbridge Piazza and Forrest Place will be hosting an entire month of Indigenous Art on the superscreens in celebration of NAIDOC week.
This is a fabulous opportunity to see a range of artwork from animation to sculpture and paintings done by incredible Indigenous artists across WA. You’ll not only learn a bunch, but you’ll also get to take in the beauty of colours and art while doing so.
- When: July 3rd – July 31st daily
- Where: Northbridge Piazza and Forrest Place
- Find out more
The Dreaming Place
Making a home in the relaxing nooks of the State Library, The Dreaming Place will host lunch time screenings daily in a series of award-winning animations.
These animations are based on Australian Aboriginal storytelling and will look at unique Indigenous stories from around Australia that both adults and kids will adore. You might even walk out having learnt something.
- When: July 3rd- July 10th, 10am – 5pm daily
- Where: State Library of WA, The Nook
Yanchep National Park NAIDOC Day
Yanchep National Park will be holding an acknowledgment of country and introducing this years NAIDOC week theme through a series of sand art, cultural activities and stuff for the kids to enjoy.
You’ll also get the chance to dig into some traditional bush tucker in a tasting experience of native meat sausages and teas, or you can jump on an Aboriginal experience cultural tour.
- When: Sunday July 3rd, 11 am – 2 pm
- Where: Yanchep National Park
- Find out more
WA Museum Boola Bardip
The WA Museum is a great place to soak in a bit of culture and knowledge any day of the week, meaning they’ve got some great options to celebrate NAIDOC.
Their permanent exhibitions serve as a voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples where you can enjoy the creativity of artists, authors and performers and gain a deeper respect for our diversity and history.
Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Workshop
If you or your team want to really dive deep and expand your knowledge, Auspire is running a full day Aboriginal Culture and Awareness workshop for NAIDOC week.
It’s a perfect entry-level starting point for those wanting to start their journey and the facilitator Mr. Danny Ford OAM will explore the impacts of colonisation and assist participants with information and understanding that can improve communities and workplaces for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.
- When: Tuesday 5th July, 9:30am – 4pm
- Where: Fraser Suites, 10 Adelaide Terrace, East Perth
- Tickets HERE
Find out more at naidoc.org.au
Feature Image: Tjungkara Ken, Sandra Ken, Yaritji Young, Freda Brady, Maringka Tunkin, Pitjantjatjara people, Seven Sisters, National Gallery of Australia via @artgallerywa
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