NAIDOC WEEK 2000 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture

MEDIA RELEASE

DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE AUSTRALIA

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, as part of its
continuing commitment to cultural and workplace diversity, is
organising a program of activities to celebrate NAIDOC Week 2000
(2-9 July).

In the inclusive spirit of NAIDOC, all interested members of
the Canberra community are invited to join DFAT staff and their
families and friends in these celebrations.

NAIDOC - National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee
- is an opportunity to celebrate and promote an understanding
of Australia's indigenous heritage and culture. The theme for
NAIDOC Week 2000 is "Building Pride in Our Communities".

The Department's activities commence at 1.00pm on Monday 3
July with an official flag raising ceremony at the main entrance
to the R.G. Casey Building, Barton, where the Australian National,
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags will be raised. Mr
Eugene Vincent, an Aboriginal artist, will accompany the ceremony
on the didgeridoo.

A flag raising ceremony will also mark the opening of NAIDOC
Week activities at the Australian High Commission in Wellington,
New Zealand. The Department's Aboriginal Art Exhibitions - "Seasons
of Kunwinjku" and "Prints by Seven Australian Aboriginal
Artists" - will be displayed in Australia's missions in Pretoria
and Malta respectively and our Embassy in Paris is helping to
promote the Bugarrigarra Dance Company and didgeridoo workshops
at the Amiens Festival.

As part of the Canberra celebrations, there will be a display
of artworks created by Indigenous students from the Canberra Institute
of Technology. The works will include paintings, fabric design
and furniture and be displayed in the Atrium of the R.G. Casey
Building.

On Wednesday 5 July, the ACT Torres Strait Islander Dance Troupe,
Gerib Sik, will perform in the Atrium at 12.30pm. The Troupe comprises
seven dancers accompanied by the warup and lamut (drums) and the
kulap (shakers). Traditional dances of the Eastern and Western
islands of the Torres Strait will be performed.

On Friday 7 July, there will be a lunchtime address in the
Gareth Evans Theatre, R.G. Casey Building, on the subject of Aboriginal
community languages.