CDU celebrates Indigenous culture and contributions during NAIDOC Week

Charles Darwin University (CDU) will join the national celebration of NAIDOC Week to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and reaffirm its commitment to improving Indigenous educational outcomes.

The NAIDOC 2021 theme, Heal Country, calls for all of us to continue to seek greater protection for our lands, waters, sacred sites and our cultural heritage from exploitation, desecration and destruction.

CDU launched its Indigenous Leadership Strategy in November 2020, which provides CDU executive staff and management with an opportunity to embrace and take responsibility for achieving key Indigenous targets.

Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Leadership and Regional Outreach, Professor Reuben Bolt, said the strategy was a significant step forward in ensuring that the improvement of Indigenous outcomes was front and centre.

“Since introducing the strategy last year, we have been focused on ensuring Indigenous contribution, commitment and needs are at the forefront of everything we do at CDU,” Professor Bolt said.

“We are excited to move forward with a week of events that celebrate Indigenous peoples in the NT and to celebrate collaboration within the University and the broader community.”

NAIDOC Week runs from 4–11 July 2021, but due to the recent COVID-19 lockdown in the NT, some events have been postponed or cancelled.

CDU’s Indigenous Leadership and Regional Outreach team will be hosting a free barbecue at the Blue 2 Precinct on Casuarina Campus at 12pm on 13 July to start celebrations with CDU staff and students.

Other events on Casuarina Campus include free Indigenous movie screenings at lunchtimes, including a documentary called 88 on 14 July and In My Blood It Runs on 15 July, both open to the public.

On Friday, 16 July, some CDU staff will join the NAIDOC Week March in Darwin CBD. CDU will also have a booth in Raintree Park after the march.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Scott Bowman will join a free barbecue for staff and students at the Katherine Campus on Friday, 9 July.

Due to the Alice Springs NAIDOC Committee’s decision to postpone the 2021 Mparntwe NAIDOC celebrations, the Central Australia Campus will be holding events from 9–13 August.

For more information visit www.cdu.edu.au/events