This annual national event celebrates the survival of Indigenous culture and the contribution of Indigenous people to contemporary Australia.

With a new theme each year, NAIDOC week offers activities and community events across Queensland.

NAIDOC Week 2009

Brisbane is the host city of this year's celebrations for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) week. This big week in the Indigenous calendar is a chance to recognise the contributions of Indigenous Australians in various fields. NAIDOC Week celebrations (5 - 12 July) are held across Australia to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The official theme for this year's celebration is Honouring Our Elders, Nurturing Our Youth which to encourages the communities to acknowledge the status of Elders as leaders and role models for our youth.

For further information on NAIDOC Week, visit the website but here are some highlights in Brisbane and Cairns:

NAIDOC Events

Brisbane

29 June - 10 July
Kids Meet Up!, Queensland Museum South Bank: celebrates Queensland's distinct Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures through storytelling, activities, art, music and culture sharing. Free

2 July
Oodgeroo Bloodline to Country, Roundhouse Theatre, 2-11 July.

6 July
NAIDOC Official Opening, Brisbane City Hall: Free entry to displays featuring Indigenous programs in government, the arts, business and industry.

4 July - 12 July
Thru the lens: Palm Island Youth Photography Project: exhibition, DVD of Palm Island, Gallery of Modern Art. A free exhibition capturing celebrations of people and places, everyday activities and the 'not-so-good' stuff.

10 July
NAIDOC Family Fun Day, Musgrave Park and Evan Marginson Park, Goodna.

Cairns

6 July Official opening, City Place, 10am
City Place

7 July
Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, Open Day, Western Arterial Road, Kuranda, 9am-5pm, Entry $5 includes entertainment and stalls

10 July
NAIDOC in the Park, Fogarty Park, Cairns Esplanade, Free, 10am, includes stalls and entertainment

Artisan, in partnership with Global Gallery will hold the 2009 Masters of Design Exhibition, Taken by Storm: the Album Art of Storm Thorgerson.

Gallery artisan
381 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley
Tuesday to Friday 10:30am to 5:30pm; Saturday 10:00am to 4:00pm
Contact: 07 3215 0800
Website

Exhibition continues until 1 August 2009

For the upcoming NAIDOC Week 2009, there will be an exhibition, Colours of the Dreamtime, co-ordinated by the Malaruch Aboriginal Corporation held at the Brisbane Riverside Centre, Eagle St from Monday 6 July to Friday 17 July. Artists from all over the country will be exhibiting their works in a unified expression of artistic spirituality include Gail Mabo, Robert Barton, Biance Beetson, Daniel Murrupi and Karen Coconut.

The success of the exhibition will raise funds for the community to build Indigenous school in Weipa and also prove to be a valuable experience for the local artists and assist in building up their careers.

The official opening will be at 6.30pm on Wednesday 8 July and this includes a live performance by Didgeridoo player William Baron.

Tickets are available online or call (07) 3466 0734.

For further information please contact Dr Farvardin Daliri OAM
T (07) 3466 0734
M 0429 965 448 or 0401 387 844
Email