NAIDOC Week 2021 (4-11 July) serves as a time to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This week is celebrated not only by our First Nations People, but by Australians from all walks of life.
Each year NAIDOC Week has a theme with this year being:
Heal Country, heal our nation.
"Country is inherent to our identity.
It sustains our lives in every aspect - spiritually, physically, emotionally, socially, and culturally.
It is more than a place.
When we talk about Country it is spoken of like a person.
Country is family, kin, law, lore, ceremony, traditions, and language. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples it has been this way since the dawn of time.
Through our languages and songs, we speak to Country; through our ceremonies and traditions we sing to - and celebrate Country – and Country speak to us."
Heal Country! – calls for stronger measures to recognise, protect, and maintain all aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage.
Our game is played on the traditional lands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and we encourage our Clubs to acknowledge this deep connection to Country during NAIDOC Week.
Clubs can acknowledge NAIDOC Week by:
- A pre-game Acknowledgement of Country (find words here)
- A sharing of NAIDOC Week content on club’s social media platforms and websites
- Explore the traditional history of the lands that your Club plays football on
Victorian and Australian football has a strong indigenous heritage starting with Harry Williams, recognised as Australia’s first Indigenous Socceroo. Williams played 13 times for Australia and was a member of the famous 1974 Australian World Cup squad – the first Socceroos team to make the World Cup finals.
The passion continues today across all parts of the game.
For more information or enquiries about the week, please contact Football Victoria's Indigenous Programs Coordinator via chris.swain@footballvictoria.com.au.