The ABC is supporting NAIDOC Week from 2 -9 July, celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island culture, history and people.
The theme for this year is “Our Languages Matter” which aims to emphasise and celebrate the unique and essential role that Indigenous languages play in cultural identity.
A range of broadcast activity across all ABC platforms will recognise the contributions and value Indigenous Australia brings to the wider community, while providing audiences with a variety of ways to engage and join the celebrations.
ABC Managing Director, Michelle Guthrie, said, “The ABC’s vision is to be the source of Australian stories, culture and conversations, and fulfilling this aim would be impossible without a commitment to reflect the stories and contributions of Australia’s oldest cultures and First peoples. NAIDOC week is just one way the ABC can help share these stories and conversations and ensure they are heard by all Australians.”
ABC highlights throughout the week include:
RADIO
ABC local Radio (all stations, nationally) will celebrate NAIDOC week from Sunday 2 July with Rhianna Patrick’s national evening program, showcasing a range of interesting Indigenous guests, stories, and music. Other highlights include news and weather reads in language, Indigenous co-hosts, and an all Indigenous playlist across the network on Monday 3 July, plus live music, comedy and language features throughout the week.
triple j
On 7 July, Like a Version will have Indigenous rapper BIRDZ performing his original song Black Like Matter and a cover of the Yothu Yindi classic Djapana (Sunset Dreaming).
RN
Awaye’s radio and web series Word Up! will be launched as a podcast. Word Up! shares the diverse languages of black Australia from Anmatyerre to Arrernte, from Yankunytjatjara to Yorta Yorta—one word at a time, and asks language speakers to give their three favourite words in their language, and why. The video and audio series will roll out, one a day on social and RN to celebrate the NAIDOC theme of ʺOur languages matterʺ; and you can now subscribe to the podcast.
Double J
Playing highlights from the brand new record ‘Deadly Hearts’ which features young Indigenous artists covering well-known tracks, plus a selection of music from fierce Indigenous women.
ABC DIGITAL EXTRA RADIO
A deadly music station showcasing the best music by Indigenous Australians, with a special focus on music in language… tune in and hear everything from classic tracks by Yothu Yindi and Warumpi Band, to the newest releases from BIRDZ, Briggs and Yirrmal.
REGIONAL
ABC Regional has partnered with First Languages Australia to connect Regional content makers with local Indigenous language centres and speakers in a landmark recording project. More than 100 new radio promotions, spoken in local Indigenous languages, will be played across ABC Radio throughout NAIDOC Week. A series of ABC KIDS promotions featuring children speaking their Indigenous language have also been produced.
Some ABC Regional presenters have been taught how to say “hello” in a local language, and a number of regional stations will be undertaking language lessons, teaching audiences words from their local Indigenous communities. From Townsville to Albany, ABC’s Regional stations will be highlighting and supporting various NAIDOC Week events taking place in their local communities.
ABC iview
ABC iview will be hosting a special NAIDOC collection including the celebrated films Mabo and BabaKiueria, Cleverman season 2 catch-up and extras, full series of Bush Mechanics, Black As, Right Wrongs and Everything is Connected: Indigenous Culture and Creativity, as well as a showcase of films by Indigenous students from AFTRS.
TELEVISION
ABC TV
Monday 3 July at 10.30pm
Q&A
Q&A is broadcasting live from Alice Springs for the first time with guest host Virginia Trioli. Joining her on the panel will be Leader of Katter’s Australian Party Bob Katter, Local Labor member and Shadow Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health Warren Snowdon, Conservative indigenous Alice Springs Councillor Jacinta Price, Businesswoman and Chair of Tourism Central Australia Dale McIver and Senior Policy Officer, Central Land Council Josie Douglas.
ABC2
Monday 3 July at 9.30pm
Destination Arnold
Filmed over two years this extraordinary film tells the story of Tash and Kylene, two Indigenous women determined to make it to “The Arnolds”, an invitation only bodybuilding competition to be held in Australia for the first time. To get there the pair must endure months of training, dieting and hard work, but their physical transformation is only the beginning.
ABC ME
Daily at 9.30am
Little J and Big Cuz
The animated series Little J and Big Cuz, follows the adventures of a couple of Indigenous Australian kids living with their Nanna and Old Dog. Five-year-old Little J and nine-year-old Big Cuz are busy with the ups and downs of playground and classroom. With the help of Nanna and their teacher Ms Chen, they are finding all about culture, community and country.
ABC ME (and on ABC ME app)
Daily, various times
Create Indigenous Art Experiences on throughout NAIDOC Week
Watch and join in on some indigenous art experiences! Gather materials from your garden and get creative with some techniques taught to us by Annette Sax, a Taungurong woman of the Kulin nation as she guides viewers to make their own necklace, painting and collage on bark.
ABC KIDS
Each night throughout NAIDOC week ABC Kids will conclude its broadcast at 7pm with the Goodnight sign off voiced in a different Indigenous language.
NEWS
ABC NEWS on TV, radio and online will have special reports and coverage of NAIDOC Week activities, including the National NAIDOC Awards Ceremony in Cairns this Saturday 1 July, announcing the NAIDOC Person of the Year.
Throughout the week following, there will be coverage from around the country including live crosses from community events on the ABC NEWS channel and 7pm ABC NEWS bulletins, as Australia celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Indigenous Australians.
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