Schools across the Coast will celebrate NAIDOC Week in November after the National NAIDOC Committee (NNC) confirmed the event was being pushed back as a coronavirus precautionary measure.
Typically celebrated from July 5 to 12, the new dates for NAIDOC Week now confirmed to be November 8 to 15.
The postponement was advised by the NNC back in March, but a decision about new dates had not been forthcoming as the coronavirus situation escalated across the country.
A spokesperson for the NNC said the new dates were decided with bypassing winter in mind.
“The November dates follow the decision by the National NAIDOC Committee (NNC) to postpone NAIDOC Week from the original July dates due to the impacts and uncertainty from the pandemic across our communities and cities.
“The postponement was aimed at protecting our elders and those in our communities with chronic health issues from the disastrous impacts of COVID19.
“As cooler weather approaches the need to protect our most susceptible remain,” the spokesperson said.
Further announcements regarding the National NAIDOC Awards and the reactivation of the 2020 NAIDOC Local Grants Round will be made within coming weeks.
“The NNC understands that the July dates for NAIDOC may still be acknowledged by communities and organisations, however we are mindful that those celebrations and physical gatherings will still be impacted by the various State and Territory COVID19 restrictions and social distancing measures.
“We acknowledge the commitment and tireless work of the many State, Territory, regional and local NAIDOC Committees, organisations and individuals whose passion each year makes NAIDOC Week an outstanding success,” the spokesperson said.
Source:
Press release, Jun 23
National NAIDOC Committee