Celebrating NAIDOC Week in 2020

'We will open our hearts to the cries of the poor using our energies, gifts and resources to address violence and discrimination especially for women and children, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples...' (Chapter Statement)

NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. NAIDOC Week is usually held in the first full week of July but was postponed this year in the interests of the safety of Indigenous communities as a result of COVID-19.

This year's theme Always Was, Always Will Be recognises that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years.

NAIDOC Week 2020 acknowledges and celebrates that our nation’s story didn’t begin with documented European contact whether in 1770 or 1606 - with the arrival of the Dutch on the western coast of the Cape York Peninsula. The very first footprints on this continent were those belonging to First Nations peoples. 

More about the theme and the invitation to all Australians 'to embrace the true history of this country' can be read here

Sisters of Mercy Parramatta Congregation recognises the importance of NAIDOC Week in celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island culture, talent and resilience and the opportunity this week offers us all to grow in knowledge and build relationships.

Resources to celebrate the week can be found here. Ways to be involved can be found here