NAIDOC Week returns to the heart of Narrm this July, with the Koorie Heritage Trust inviting Melburnians to celebrate 50 Years of Deadly through a packed day of free community events, First Peoples creativity and cultural connection at Fed Square.
Taking place on Friday 10 July from 12pm to 5.30pm, the annual KHT NAIDOC Week First Peoples Art and Design Market will bring together more than 20 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, designers and makers.
Visitors can browse and shop directly from creatives including Art by Bronwyn David, Gunuwarra, Haus of Dizzy & Haus of Ziggy Lee, JazzySkye Design, Kevin Williams Art Gallery, Lovett Homestead and Made by Minty, alongside many others.
The market coincides with NAIDOC in the City, the City of Melbourne’s free concert at Fed Square, which follows the annual NAIDOC Week march from Parliament House. Together, the events will transform the city centre into a vibrant celebration of First Peoples culture, community and achievement.
Beyond the market stalls, visitors can take part in a range of free workshops and activities suitable for all ages, while also exploring two major exhibitions currently showing at the Koorie Heritage Trust.
Ray Thomas: Yeerung’s Journey celebrates more than four decades of storytelling and artistic practice from Brabrawooloong Gunnai artist Ray Thomas. Running until 9 August, it marks the first major solo exhibition of Thomas’ work presented by KHT.
Also on display is occupation studies: ngayanhurra bayarral Birrarung (they tried to tame Birrarung), a powerful new audiovisual installation by artist Tahlia Palmer, developed in collaboration with Jasper Cohen-Hunter. Through immersive sound and moving image, the work examines the colonial regulation of the Birrarung and its lasting impacts on Country.
Throughout NAIDOC Week, KHT will also offer additional Aboriginal Cultural Competency workshops and guided Aboriginal Walking Tours, providing even more opportunities to engage with First Peoples histories, cultures and knowledge.
Celebrate NAIDOC Week and explore the full program at https://www.kht.org.au
