NAIDOC Week Celebrates And Uplifts Indigenous Talent
ISSUE: DNA #274 – First Nations Issue | BUY
Every year NAIDOC Week comes around and we take the time to celebrate the beauty, strength, excellence, intelligence and commitment of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This year’s National NAIDOC Week theme is For Our Elders.
Embrace the cultures and richness offered in NAIDOC Week’s programming
SBS and NITV’s NAIDOC Week is running programs filled with First Nations talent including the debut of the thrilling vampire drama Firebite, Going Places With Ernie Dingo and The NAIDOC Awards hosted by Casey Donovan and Mark Coles Smith (a DNA Straight Mate).
Going Places is a documentary program entering its fifth season and features the stories of everyday Australians discussing their connection to the land.
The NAIDOC Awards celebrate the people that uplift and empower the Indigenous community. The 2023 finalists are Aunty Dr Naomi Mayers OAM (Lifetime Achievement Award), Professor Kelvin Kong (Person of the Year 2023), Aunty Dr Matilda House-Williams (Female Elder of the Year 2023), William Tilmouth (Male Elder of the Year Award 2023), Lala Gutchen (Caring for Country and Culture Award 2023), Bubup Wilam Aboriginal Child and Family Centre (Education Award 2023), Daniel Motlop (Innovation Award 2023), Rachel Perkins (Creative Talent Award 2023), Donnell Wallam (Sportsperson of the Year Award 2023) and Courtney Burns (Youth of the Year 2023).
Firebite follows two Aboriginal renegades who must singlehandedly end a bloody 230-year war against the Vampire King and his ravenous search for land and power. This eight-part series is directed by Warwick Thornton and stars Rob Collins.
Rob was DNA’s Straight Mate for our fashion issue DNA #209 and he spoke to us about Indigenous representation in Australian media. “It certainly feels like we’re heading in the right direction and it’s absolutely positive, but I think more needs to be done,” he says.
“I’m hoping shows like Cleverman will help us get a real move on in terms of working towards a vibrant Indigenous filmmaking community in Australia; one that doesn’t necessarily sit outside of the mainstream but becomes part and parcel of it to the point where it’s not considered a cliché or a novelty.”
Although most would say that journey is still underway, undeniable talents like Rob Collins, Mark Coles Smith and Ernie Dingo and the finalists of the NAIDOC Awards are helping to pave that road. Celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Islander strength and culture should be happening year-round. To read more and see how DNA honours the Indigenous people, land and culture, find our First Nations issue DNA #274.
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