NAIDOC Week 2024
Welcome
National NAIDOC Week (7–14 July) celebrates the histories, cultures, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The 2024 theme – 'Keep the fire burning! Black, loud and proud’ – honoured the strength and vitality of Indigenous cultures, with fire symbolising connections to Country, each other and a rich tapestry of traditions.
The theme underlined the resilience of mob, our shared experiences, collective memories, and kinship. It also called for a reclamation of Indigenous narratives and an unwavering commitment to justice and equality.
Keynote Lecture
Professor Davis has been the leading Australian lawyer on the constitutional recognition of First Nations peoples for 2 decades and designed the Referendum Council’s process that led to the Uluru Statement from the Heart. In her keynote lecture, Professor Davis examined the political journey towards justice and human rights for Indigenous Australians in the aftermath of the Voice Referendum result.
Recording coming soon
Film Screening
When: Monday 8 July, 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Where: Room 314 in the Steele Building (03)
Watch an exclusive screening of Burnt Country (2024), directed and produced by UQ alumni Kirsten Slemint (BSc and BJ, 2020). Sixty-five thousand years in the making, Burnt Country is about fighting fire, with fire. The film is an invitation to connect to country and community and explores the profound knowledge and wisdom of First Nations. This 18-minute documentary questions whether Australia’s past can help secure its future. The cast includes three UQ Science Faculty alumni – Hugh Possingham, Rod Fensham and Bill Ellis. Watch the trailer.
Book Launch
When: Tuesday 9 July, 11:00am – 12:30pm
Where: Collaborative Room 02-D114, Duhig Tower
Celebrate the launch of Heritage, Indigenous Doing, and Wellbeing: Voices of Country, which offers Aboriginal Australian insights into sustaining the complex systems that support all life. Drawing on the notion of Country as sacred, living, and sentient, the book’s contributors explore diverse relationships with Country that demonstrate the practical utility of a relational understanding. Copies of the book will be available for purchase, and light refreshments will be provided.
Celebrating Blak Excellence
When: Tuesday 9 July, 2:00pm – 5:00pm
Where: Westin, Brisbane CBD
Join us for an empowering session celebrating Blak Excellence at the UQ Poche NAIDOC Seminar Series, aligning with this year's NAIDOC theme: Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud. This seminar series aims to showcase and honour the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples across various fields and will feature a performance by the Wagga Torres Strait Islander Dance Company.
Mini Blak Market
When: Wednesday 10 July, 12:30pm – 2:30pm
Where: Student Central
Drop by our Mini Blak Market and enjoy some music by Rochelle Pitt and check out Indigenous retailer stalls, including:
- Earrings by DJ – A selection of handmade earrings – material buttons, bead jewellery, hand paint and weave
- Medibush – A selection of 100% natural wild harvested native Australian botanicals
- Athe Threads – A selection of Torres Strait Islander themed clothing and accessories
- University of Queensland Press – A selection of books by Indigenous Authors
- Indigenous Literacy Foundation – A Great Book Swap with donations going towards the ILF.
Walking Art Tours, St Lucia Campus
When: Thursday 11 and Friday 12 July, 10:30 – 11:30am and 1:00 – 2:00pm
Where: UQ Art Museum
Listen to a UQ Art Museum mediator share insights and stories of the incredible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art on the St Lucia campus. This free outdoor tour begins at the UQ Art Museum in front of the 2024 Window Commission 'Old Girls Yarning in the Night' by Rosella Namok. It will involve some light to moderate walking and will be wheelchair accessible.
Musgrave Park Family Fun Day
When: Friday 12 July, 9:00am – 5:00pm
Where: Musgrave Park, South Brisbane
Everyone is welcome to attend the annual Musgrave Park Family Fun Day, a family-friendly festival of live entertainment and activities that showcases First Nations People, culture and heritage through performing arts, education, traditional foods, arts and crafts, and contemporary aspects promoted by Indigenous Entrepreneurs. This is the largest event of its kind in Australia and brings together Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities from near and far across Brisbane, Queensland and New South Wales. UQ will host a few stalls, so drop by and say ‘Hi’.
Lighting up Forgan Smith
During NAIDOC Week, the Forgan Smith building was lit at night in the colours of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags.
Contact
For more information on UQ's NAIDOC Week events, please email Indigenousengagementevents@uq.edu.au
