NAIDOC Week is a celebration of the Indigenous voice of Australia, which is over 65,000 years old. It recognises our traditional owners, the first words that they spoke on this continent and the cultures and knowledge that has been passed down through generations. At Rainforestation, we are lucky to share this ancient culture every day with guests from around the world and are blessed to see our Indigenous team members from tribes all over Australia share their culture and traditions. To celebrate NAIDOC week 2019, we would like to introduce you to some of our incredible Indigenous team members and share why NAIDOC Week is important to them.

NAIDOC Week 2019 Theme

The theme for NAIDOC Week 2019 is "voice. treaty. truth". These were the main elements set our in the Uluru Statement From the Heart. The theme highlights the fact that the First Nations of this country were not given a voice in parliament until very recently. The theme also brings attention to traditional Indigenous languages and the importance of keeping these languages alive.

Our Team: What Does NAIDOC Week Mean To You?

Louis Enoch

Tribes – Djabuguay/Yidinji/Kaanju/Qandamooka Position – Pamagirri Cultural Performer "Naidoc is a time for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to come together and celebrate both cultures as one".

Damien Shrieber

Tribe – Gauggandji Position – Pamagirri Cultural Performer "NAIDOC is a celebration of Australian Indigenous peoples uniting as one. Sharing our culture, beliefs and stories to non-Indigenous peoples. It is a week to them but a lifetime for us!"

Jacob Williamson

Tribe – KuKu Yalanji Position – Pamagirri Cultural Performer Trainee Naidoc is a celebration of Indigenous peoples across Australia and everyone else to come together.

Mark Lawson

Tribe – KuKu Thaypan  Position – Pamagirri Cultural Performer "NAIDOC is Indigenous people coming together to acknowledge the past and celebrating the present."

William Enoch Snr

Tribes – Kaanju/Qandamooka Position – Pamagirri Manager "NAIDOC is Aboriginal’s and Torres Strait Islanders coming together as one and teaching the younger generations culture through dance, art, crafts and stories."

Michael Warusum

Tribe – Saibia Island Yam Position – Pamagirri Cultural Performer "NAIDOC is Indigenous peoples coming together to share culture to become one people of Australia."

Irwin Murgha

Tribe – Gunggandiji (Yarrabah) Position – Rainforestation Gardner "NAIDOC is a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures to remember the past and present. Sharing our culture and language alive for the next generation and to stand as one."