AUSTRALIA'S ABORIGINAL EVENTS AND FESTIVALS

Desert mob, NT

NAIDOC Week
Various locations, Australia wide
July

In July every year, NAIDOC Week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. NAIDOC originally stood for 'National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee' which was responsible for organising national activities which has since become the name of the week itself. Today, capital cities and local communities celebrate through family fun days that showcase Indigenous culture and provide a gathering place. In addition, a different city is selected to host the National NAIDOC Awards Ceremony which honours the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair
Darwin, Northern Territory
August

Bark paintings, metal sculptures, didgeridoos, fibre art and jewellery are just some of the diverse art works for sale in the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair in August. It's a unique opportunity for visitors to buy direct from more than 40 community-owned Aboriginal art centres from across Australia. Visitors will discover emerging and established artists, be able to talk to the artists themselves and learn about the distinctive artistic styles of different cultural groups. See woven baskets from East Gippsland, Dreamtime dot paintings from Alice Springs; and the ochre-coloured canvas paintings produced by the Warmun artists of the Kimberley region.

Cairns Indigenous Art Fair
Cairns, Queensland
August

Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) is a unique three-day event that merges an art market with a celebration of Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. It is the only art fair in Australia that exclusively sells and showcases art by Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. There are public talks and forums, including the CIAF Symposium, where leading Australian and international speakers, artists, and collectors discuss Queensland Indigenous art. Children and families can get involved in hands-on art activities. There is a program of free Indigenous dance and a warm welcome from the traditional owners, the Yidinji.
*Culled from www.australia.com.