Always Was, Always Will Be has been announced as the theme for this year's NAIDOC week, encouraging all Australians to come together to celebrate the history and the diverse cultures of the country’s First Nations people.
NAIDOC co-chair John Paul Janke told NITV News the theme was all about recognising the truth of Australia’s past and to acknowledge the country’s 65,000 years of culture and heritage.
“That is something all Australian’s should celebrate,” he said. "It makes Australia one of the most unique countries in the world.”
Mr Janke said that often the nation forgets there were rich cultures and lifestyles before the arrival of the first fleet in 1788, and that NAIDOC 2020 would be a reminder of just that.
“We should not have Aboriginal history, British history and modern history, we should say that it is Australian history,” he said.
NAIDOC week is dedicated to celebrating the history, achievements and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The week was born from a day of protests during the early 1900s demanding First Nations people have access to basic human rights.
“Each year it grows from strength to strength and I think there is more appetite to learn about the true history of the country,” said Mr Janke.
“The more we learn about it, then the more Australia can really acknowledge and celebrate Australia as the oldest living culture on the planet.”
NAIDOC Week 2020 will run from Sunday 5 July to Sunday 12 July.
In tribute to this theme, NITV is celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, recognising the achievements of our First Peoples and the rich history of our ancient land with our Always Was, Always Will Be programming slate in late January and throughout National NAIDOC Week (5-12 July) as the official NAIDOC media partner.
