Celebrating 50 years of NAIDOC 

By Ruby Okely, Research Assistant, ICIP

This year’s NAIDOC Week marks the 50^th year celebration. NAIDOC Week begins after the first Sunday in July (July 6 – 13). This year’s theme is “The Next Generation: Strength, Vison & Legacy”. The theme is a call to uplift, invest in, and listen to the emerging generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people – and to honour the legacies that paved the way. 

This year’s poster was designed by Jeremy Morgan Worrall who is a proud Ngarbal/Gomeroi man from Emmaville and Deepwater in northern NSW. Jeremy’s artwork honours the knowledge, care and cultural strength passed down through generations. The artwork pays tribute to Jeremy’s ancestors and family.

Arts Law is privileged to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people every day particularly through our Artists in the Blak service, advocacy and outreach. 

Artists in the Blak is a dedicated service offering free legal advice, resources and support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. For many years, we have visited regional and remote communities across Australia to provide legal advice and support. The Artists in the Blak service also provides art centres, language centres, and art organisations with advice and resources on governance with a view to fostering greater self-determination. 

Considering this year’s theme, “The Next Generations: Strength, Vison & Legacy”, Arts Law is reminded of the Australian Government’s commitment to new Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) stand-alone legislation. 

The standalone legislation is expected to address the harm associated with fake art, merchandise and souvenirs. Arts Law are aware of the shortcomings in Australia’s legal framework for ICIP and we hope that the new stand-alone legislation will provide better protections. Arts Law alongside the Indigenous Art Code and Copyright Agency championed the ‘Fake Art Harms Culture’ campaign which addressed the issues that the new stand-alone legislation aims to protect. 

Earlier this year, the Office of the Arts established an expert working group led by Dr Terri Janke to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lived experience and perspectives inform the development. 

For further information on ICIP please visit our info sheet. If you would like to keep up to date with the stand-alone legislation, please visit the Office of the Arts webpage. 

If you would like to attend a local event please visit the NAIDOC Local Event page.