City of Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas acknowledged the NAIDOC Week theme for 2021 was Heal Country, a reminder to protect our lands, our waters and sacred sites from destruction.

“We’re extremely excited to bring to life a suite of immersive experiences, music, dance, culture and art throughout July, celebrating and embracing the oldest living culture on Earth,” he said.

As part of NAIDOC Week, the City of Perth will be sponsoring the Maali Festival on Saturday 24 July – a family- friendly festival celebrating Aboriginal art, culture, heritage and voice.

Organised by Black Swan State Theatre Company of WA curators Ian Michael and Chloe Ogilvie, the event will feature a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony and a Nyumbi dance ceremony in the courtyard.

One of the highlights of the festival is a High Tea with the City of Perth Elders (the Bridyas), where they will share their personal stories and vast cultural knowledge.

To continue recognising the importance of the Bridyas, the City of Perth Elders portraits will be displayed in the State Theatre Centre from 9 July until 1 August.

City of Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas said the portraits were important in recognising the significant role the Elders played in shaping the City of Perth.

“The Elders are the Bridyas (bosses) and as such are recognised, valued and honoured by the City as heads of the Aboriginal community,” Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas said.

The Elders Advisory Group was established in 2018 and guided the City of Perth in launching its first Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan with the aim of moving forward together, to form positive and trusting relationships.

The City of Perth will be recognising NAIDOC Week by illuminating Council House in Aboriginal colours from 4 to 11 July. Trafalgar Bridge will also be lit up in red.

Please adhere to the current State Government COVID-19 advice when visiting the City of Perth. 

Issued by: Brooke Hunter, Senior Media and Communications Advisor, 08 9461 3425 (includes after hours) brooke.hunter@cityofperth.wa.gov.au

Backgrounder

Further events occurring around the city to celebrate NAIDOC Week are listed below:

NAIDOC Week Art Screenings
1 to 22 July | Various times | Northbridge Piazza Superscreen | Free
As part of NAIDOC Week, the City of Perth is working with Western Australian arts organisations, institutions and galleries to present a series of digital art and photographic exhibitions on the Northbridge Piazza Superscreen and the Forrest Place Arts Screen.
Including:

  • Minyma Wiru Tjuta | All the lovely ladies
  • Maruku Arts | Central and Western Deserts
  • The Mavis Phillips (nee Walley) Collection

Moorditj Bridyas | Solid Bosses 
9 July to 1 August | All day | State Theatre Centre | Free
The Moorditj Bridyas, Solid Bosses portraits will be on loan to the State Theatre Centre during NAIDOC Week via the City of Perth Collections. Honouring the City of Perth Elders, with photography by Eva Fernandez, the portraits of the Bridyas will be displayed underneath the golden staircase from 9 July to 1 August.

NAIDOC Official Opening Ceremony
Rescheduled | 1 to 5pm | Supreme Court Gardens | Free
Organised by NAIDOC Perth and sponsored by the City of Perth, the NAIDOC Week Perth Opening Ceremony is the formal opening of NAIDOC Week events in Perth. It is a day which presents Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures in song, music and dance to the community.

Heal Country Trail
4 to 11 July | Times vary | Central Plaza, Perth Cultural Centre | Free
From the WA State Library collection, ten aerial photographs of country will be positioned as large format decals at various locations in the Perth Cultural Centre.

NAIDOC Book Display
6 to 31 July | City of Perth Library | Suitable for all ages
Throughout July the City of Perth Library Ground Floor display cabinets will feature titles by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

NAIDOC Week Flower Hand-out
8 and 9 July |Times vary | iCity Kiosk and Murray Street Mall | Free
Volunteers from the iCity Kiosk will hand out green bunches to the community in recognition of NAIDOC Week and to celebrate the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities of Perth.

NAIDOC Week Sand Mural
Postponed | All day | James Street Amphitheatre, Perth Cultural Centre | Free
Installed by Acacia Cultural Designs, this mural will signify Heal Country and celebrate the Aboriginal community. The mural will last as long as the elements will allow.

Koorlong Nyoongar Song Workshop
14 July | 11am to 12pm | City of Perth Library | Suitable for ages 6 to 12 | Bookings: koorlong.eventbrite.com.au
Join musicians from Madjitil Moorna Choir to celebrate Nyoongar culture and language through song. Participants will learn kwobidak (beautiful) contemporary songs in Nyoongar and English.

Maali Festival
24 July | Times vary | State Theatre Centre | Free and ticketed
Black Swan State Theatre Company of WA celebrates the inaugural Maali Festival – a celebration of Aboriginal art, culture, heritage and voice. Curated by Ian Michael and Chloe Ogilvie, this free community event will fill the State Theatre Centre with the art of the world’s oldest living cultures. Enjoy play readings by City of Gold and Brothers Wreck and dance under the stars in the Courtyard.


LOOBY Documentary Screening
10 July | 4.30pm to 6.30pm | City of Perth Library | Bookings: loobydoc.eventbrite.com.au
Join us for a free screening of the acclaimed film 'Looby' followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers to mark 100 years of the Archibald Prize.

NAIDOC Reading Challenge
1 to 31 July | City of Perth Library | Suitable for all ages | perth.beanstack.org
NAIDOC week 2021 encourages all Australians to embrace the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as part of Australia’s national heritage. During July, read books by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authors and illustrators. Learn more about the knowledge, stories and experiences of the oldest continuous culture on Earth. Use the online resource Beanstack to keep track of your reading and share your progress and reviews with others. We’ve recommended titles for all ages to guide your reading journey.


ENDS

The City of Perth acknowledges the Whadjuk Nyoongar people as the Traditional Owners of the lands and waters where Perth city is situated today, and pay our respect to Elders past and present.