Naidoc Week starts in Australia in the first week of July each year, and this year, it’s from Sun, Jul 7, 2024, to Sun, Jul 14, 2024. It’s the time when everyone comes together to celebrate and recognise the history, culture, and achievements of Australia’s indigenous people.
Just like in previous years, there are again a myriad of Naidoc Week activities planned to engage communities across the country. However, organising these activities requires careful planning and critical items like outdoor power equipment. Jackery’s solar party equipment, such as the Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro, emerges as a popular choice of solar generator for sale in Naidoc Week.
This article guides you about the top 6 Naidoc Week activities and the key role solar-powered generators play in the event’s success. Let’s dig in!
History of Naidoc Week
Noidoc Week in Australia is celebrated every year to remember the achievements and culture of Aborigines and Islanders. It has a rich history that goes back to 1938 when Indigenous activists, including William Cooper, Douglas Nicholls and Jack Pattern, held a protest known as the Day of Mourning. The protest included a march through Sydney and captured massive attention from the media and the public alike.
The whole movement had one purpose: to give the indigenous people their rights and ensure fair treatment. This powerful protest, joined by hundreds and thousands of civilians, prompted Prime Minister Joseph Lyons to engage in discussion with the activists. They provided him with a manifesto asking for citizenship rights for the Aboriginal people.
However, at that time, the government didn’t possess constitutional power and simply rejected the manifesto. However, there was a growing feeling that the Day of Mourning shouldn’t be just for protest; instead, it should be used to celebrate the achievements of Aborigines. In 1955, this day was shifted to the first Sunday in July, and later, a committee was formed to oversee all the matters known as the NADOC—the National Aborigines Day Observance Committee.
With growing awareness regarding Indigenous culture, NODAC became the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee, NAIDOC. Now, there’s a whole week dedicated to Aboriginals and Islanders, and each year, a theme is selected for the celebration. For instance, in 1987, it was White Australia Has a Black History, while in 2019, it was Voice, Treaty, Truth. The theme for 2024 is also unique, known as Keep the fire burning! Blak, loud, and proud.
Significance of Naidoc Week
Here’s an overview of the significance of the Naidoc Week:
- Recognising Contributions: The Naidoc Week highlights the key achievements and contributions of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to Australian culture. It reflects on their impact on the nation’s development. Not only this, but Naidoc Week is a celebration of these indigenous groups getting their rights and fair treatment across the country.
- Educational Significance: The week provides an essential platform for educating children about indigenous cultures, lores, and traditions. This creates an environment of understanding and respect where the Australian youth appreciate the efforts of Indigenous people in making Australia what it is today.
- Building Relationships: Most importantly, participating in Naidoc Week activities is an excellent way for young minds to understand indigenous beliefs and cultures. This paves the way for strengthening relationships between different cultures within Australia, resulting in a cohesive and inclusive community.
Top 6 Naidoc Week Activities You Can’t-Miss
Along with a unique theme each year, there are different Naidoc Week activities in which students and adults can participate to connect better with the Indigenous people of Australia. Some popular Naidoc Week activities include:
Study Aboriginal Language
Australia is a land of incredible diversity, and in the 1780s, the Aborigines there spoke more than 250 distinct indigenous languages. For better comprehension, these 250 languages are divided into 25 language families, highlighting the richness of the indigenous culture.
(Copyright photo from: https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/different-language-speech-bubble-hello-concept_18091695.htm#fromView=search&page=1&position=49&uuid=5711f032-f322-4652-9cf6-e38ea6025fe7)
One of the popular Naidoc Week activities is to study any Aboriginal Language. These languages are different from any other language in the world, and studying them is a fun and engaging activity. Here are a few tips that make it easy for you to study and learn an indigenous language:
- Learn Common Vocabulary Words: Begin your journey into studying an Aboriginal language by familiarising yourself with common vocabulary words. Focus on everyday terms and phrases that are frequently used in conversation. This will make it easier for you to build new sentences from this new language. Some common words with their meanings are given as Bung = dead, Bunji = mate, Cooee = come here[1], and many more.
- Create a Spreadsheet: To make the learning more organised, you should create a spreadsheet to track the vocabulary words you’re learning, their meanings, and their phrasal usage. You can categorise them based on their family, nature, or the emotional meaning they convey to get a quick understanding.
- Revise Them Regularly: This is the most important step! Regularly revise everything to retain the new vocabulary and phrases you’ve learned. This repetition and revision help reinforce memory, making it easier to recall the words when you need them.
Learn Famous Indigenous Australian Stories
Another one of the Naidoc Week activities is learning famous Indigenous stories. These stories not only fascinate the readers but also impart wisdom and insights into the intricate Aboriginal culture. Some shared stories that you can learn in this regard are given How the Kangaroo Got its Pouch?
This is quite an interesting story discussing how kangaroos got their pouch. Long ago, kangaroos didn’t have pouches. One day, a hunter chased an old wombat and her child, called a joey. The kangaroo’s mother ran for the hunter in order to distract the hunter’s attention and wear down their energies, preventing them from killing. After that, the wombat, actually the avatar of An Ancestor Being, gave the mother kangaroo a pouch to protect her joey. It is said that from then on, kangaroos have had pouches to keep their babies safe.
Hold A Flag Raising Ceremony
Holding a flag-raising ceremony is one of the meaningful NAIDOC Week activities. Both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags symbolise their heritage and pride. The Australian Aboriginal flag, designed by Harold Thomas in 1970, was officially recognised in 1995 by the Australian Government.
It has a unique design, with the black top half symbolising Aboriginal people, a red lower half representing the earth and ochre, and a yellow circle in the centre symbolising the sun. The designer of the flag, Harold Thomas, says[2]:
“I’ve got a symbol that represents me and who I am, whether I live in Redfern or Adelaide or Perth, I’m proud of it.”
So, when you raise the flags during NAIDOC Week, you show solidarity and respect for Indigenous cultures.
Invite Aboriginal Dancers to Perform
Aha! Who doesn’t like to learn about new stories and cultures all through the art of dancing? Well, everyone does! Another one of the Naidoc Week activities is to invite Aboriginal Dancers to perform.
Traditional and ceremonial dances have long been part of the Aboriginal culture. They are used as a means to tell a story, which is passed on to generations. Indigenous dancers often use musical instruments like the didgeridoo and clapping sticks to enhance their performances.
By hosting an Aboriginal dance event, you can bridge the gap between cultures. It creates an understanding between indigenous and non-indigenous people, serving as a tool for reconciliation.
Demonstrate the Aboriginal Art and Craft
Demonstrating Aboriginal art and craft is one of the fantastic Naidoc Week activities. These arts and crafts vary in form, and some common ones you can try include:
- Painting: Painting, especially dot painting, is quite famous among the Aboriginal people. You can learn about it and use small dots to create your own masterpiece inspired by the indigenous culture.
- Weaving: Aboriginal people also have a long tradition of weaving baskets and mats. You can also try weaving using some natural materials like grass and reeds, showing the aborigines that you understand them and have a great love for their art.
Taste Bush Tucker
One of the most exciting Naidoc Week activities is to taste bush tucker in the wilderness. Why? That’s because there’s no better way to bring people together than food.
Typically, bush tucker refers to the variety of traditional foods that Indigenous Australians have eaten for thousands of years. The following are some bush tucker dishes[3] you can try this Naidoc Week:
- Quandong
- Warrigal greens
- Desert quandong
Power Supply Issues You May Face During Naidoc Activities
Naidoc Week activities can indeed make the whole Naidoc event memorable. However, there are some power supply issues that you may face when organising these activities:
- Outdoor Power Access: Well, most of the Naidoc Week activities are held outdoors, where access to electricity can be limited. This prevents you from running lighting, sound systems, and other equipment needed for performances and activities.
- Unexpected Power Outages: Power outages aren’t uncommon in Australia[4]. They can be a nuisance, especially when arranging Naidac Week activities that rely on continuous power, such as cooking demonstrations or live music performances. This results in event delays and, in some unfortunate cases, even cancellations.
- Overloaded Circuits: Another power-related issue that you may face when executing your Naidoc Week ideas is overloaded circuits. For instance, when you connect multiple pieces of heavy equipment, like musical instruments and lighting, the circuit may fail to handle the load, resulting in damage or fires.
Introduce Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro
Jackery is renowned as the industry leader when it comes to solar products, including solar generators for sale. If you want the best solar generators for powering your Naidoc Week activities, the Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro has you covered. Let’s discuss it in detail:
The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro is an excellent power source for NAIDOC Week activities. With a 1002 Wh and a 1000W output (2000W surge) battery module, this solar generator ensures you have reliable power for your events. Plus, in this solar generator set, there is a 23.7% conversion rate solar panel, Jackery SolarSaga 100W Solar Panel. It allows the battery module to be charged via solar energy so that people should not worry about battery consumption when attending indigenous dancing parties in the outdoor environment.
And it can also be fully charged via a wall outlet or car in the same amount of time, so you’ll never have to worry about power outages during the NAIDOC week. This solar generator is made of flame-resistant materials and shock-resistant at Level 9, serving well in temperatures ranging from -10 to 40°C, making it suitable for the low temperatures in Australia now. It also has an LED light with three brightness modes, which is applicable for NAIDOC outdoor exploration.
Here’s a list with more details to let you know this solar-powered generator comprehensively:
- Advanced Protection: 12-layer Battery Management System (BMS) for safety
- Mobile: an 11.5kg handle design for transporting and carrying easily
- Quiet and Green Operation: Near noiseless at 46dB, without polluting fumes to annoy your mood to respect aboriginal culture
Conclusion
Arranging Naidoc Week activities is a great way to celebrate and remember the achievements of Aborigines and Islanders in Australia. However, if you are having trouble finding a reliable power source for your Naidoc Week arrangements, Jackery has you covered. They have plenty of solar products, including amazing solar generators and portable power stations. The Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro is an incredible option that provides ample power for all your event activities.
So, don’t wait—get in touch with Jackery today to explore our wide range of solar innovations that offer continuous, eco-friendly power for Naidoc Week!
Reference
- Available at: https://theculturetrip.com/pacific/australia/articles/20-aboriginal-words-you-should-know-before-visiting-australia
- Available at: https://aiatsis.gov.au/explore/aboriginal-flag
- Available at: https://amp.taste.com.au/articles/the-guide-to-aussie-bush-tucker/ml5jc7fo
- Available at: https://au.jackery.com/blogs/emergency/power-outage-dubbo
