Douglas Shire celebrates NAIDOC Week 2021 in style
NAIDOC WEEK
The Douglas Shire will mark NAIDOC Week 2021 with a slew of activities planned to celebrate First Nations’ cultures.
Running from Sunday 11 to Friday 16 July celebrations, hosted by the Indigenous Events Committee, will range from night markets to touch footy, culminating with the region’s first NAIDOC Week Gala Awards Evening.
The Awards night is the flagship event in the Douglas NAIDOC Week program and will be hosted at the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas.
120 guests will don their finest on Friday 16 July to honour Award winners across 11 categories including the Douglas Lifetime Achievement Award, Deadly Role Model of the Year, Elder of the Year, Deadly Artist of the Year, and non-Indigenous Advocate of The Year.
A number of outfits have been donated by generous community members and supporters to make sure everyone can attend the Gala.
The 2021 NAIDOC Week theme is - Heal Country! - and it calls for all Australians to continue to seek greater protections for our land, waters, sacred sites and cultural heritage.
NAIDOC Week 2021 invites Australians to embrace First Nations’ cultural knowledge and understanding of Country. At the heart, it’s about understanding that Country is more than a place – it’s inherent to our identity, and sustains our beings spiritually, physically, emotionally, socially and culturally.
Indigenous Events Committee member Kirsty Burchill is excited about celebrating NAIDOC Week in style in Douglas.
“The 2021 theme – Heal Country is also about embracing our First Nations cultural knowledge and heritage, and the Gala Awards night is a chance for us to take stock of individual achievements as part of our wider culture and values,” she said.
“The Sheraton Mirage has been ever so kind to be a major sponsor and host the Gala at the Glade. The event will be the first of its kind and we are hoping to make it an annual event.
“The evening will see live entertainment, cultural performances, and community awards. The awards will be given to recipients of the community who have excelled in their field and gone above and beyond for the Indigenous Community of Mossman, the Kuku Yalanji people.
“It’s so important we recognise the outstanding achievements and contributions of our First Nations people in Douglas – there are so many wonderful people undertaking such great initiatives and making a real difference in the community.”
“It’s important to showcase our mob and empower our community to really flourish in their areas,” Ms Burchill said.
Douglas NAIDOC Week packed program of events
The NAIDOC 2021 Douglas program will open with a special Church service on Sunday in Mossman.
On Monday official proceedings will kick off with the NAIDOC Week Opening Ceremony at the Douglas Shire Council building at 9:00am.
The NAIDOC March will follow the ceremony at 10:00am, with all encouraged to join in the Heal Country! march from the Council building to George Davis Park. The March will be followed by NAIDOC in the park activities from 11:00am to 2:00pm.
On Tuesday, the NAIDOC Baby show will add a touch of cuteness to festivities starting at 10:00am at the Goobidi Centre.
Then later that afternoon competition will be hot at a mixed-gender Touch Footy Comp at the Mossman Showgrounds, kicking off at 5:00pm.
Following the success of last year’s event, the Cultural Night Markets will return on the Wednesday at George Davis Park in Mossman from 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
An Elders Lunch will be held at the Mossman Gorge on Thursday before the celebrations are wraped up at the Gala Awards on the Friday.
Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said he is looking forward to joining in the NAIDOC action.
“What a week we have in store thanks to the Indigenous Events Committee – there’s a raft of exciting events and activities to get the community involved in celebrating this important week and recognising the history, culture and achievements of our First Nations people.”
“It’s particularly wonderful to see the Gala Awards night as part of the program. It will be a great opportunity for us to recognise and celebrate individual achievements, and fittingly honour important contributions within our First Nations community.”
“From the line-up of community events we saw over National Reconciliation Week in May, to the energy of NAIDOC Week in July, there’s so much to celebrate, recognise and embrace around our First Nations People and culture. Let’s continue this journey together and let's all get involved in NAIDOC Week 2021.”
View the full program of events for NAIDOC Week 2021 in Douglas here.
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