Where To Experience The Very Best Of NAIDOC Week In Sydney!

After being postponed earlier this year, National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week was pushed back to 8-15th November. So, it’s finally here!

The week which celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, will see ceremonies, art exhibitions, food stalls, markets, workshops and more be held across the country.

So how can you celebrate here in Sydney?

You can discover a full catalogue of events (including events local to your area) HERE, but take a look at some of our favourites below!

The Blak Markets at The Rocks

Amongst The Rocks' bustling array of events this year is the Blak Markets, held on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November.

The markets will showcase unique works and businesses of First Nations peoples with 20 unique Indigenous stalls.

Visitors can expect to find original, authentic artworks, handcrafted homewares and jewellery as well as delicious Aboriginal-inspired food and beverages.

To make things even sweeter, 100% of the profits made from market sales will be directed back to Indigenous communities!

The markets will also include a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, traditional Indigenous dance and singing performances, a cooking and weaving workshop, cooking demonstrations and an array of native bush foods and herbs by Sydney-based Aboriginal social enterprise ​Indigigrow​. 

Find out more!

The FOOD at the Rocks!

Okay, we need a whole other section to further discuss the food.

On top of the food stalls found at the Blak Markets, for the entire week, various businesses in The Rocks will be dishing up Indigenous-inspired dishes.

​The Australian Heritage Hotel ​will be serving crocodile san choy bow and kangaroo & vegetable spring rolls, while ​The Doss House will offer its native platter with kangaroo prosciutto and wild boar salami.

However, if you’re after something on the sweet side, The Tea Cosy will be offering up a range of native jams, while candy shop Sticky will be selling Aboriginal flag themed lollies. 

Find out more! 

NAIDOC Week at Broadway Shopping Centre

Broadway Shopping Centre is celebrating big this year!

The centre will be transformed with Indigenous art on display, weaving workshops available and, my personal favourite, a pop-up shop highlighting a variety of Indigenous designers and artists from across Australia!

You can check out the fill list of designers featured here! 

Partnering with Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-Operative, the ground floor will have 37 artworks hanging from the ceiling available to purchase. Two bespoke Indigenous artwork installations will also be created by Gamilaraay/Wonnarua artist Debra Beale.

Find out more!

Live Art installation at Westfield Parramatta

Similar to Broadway, from Sunday 8 November - Tuesday 10 November, Aboriginal artist Danielle Mate Sullivan (the talent behind the Eels’ 2020 Indigenous jersey) will paint a bespoke mural live at Westfield Parramatta!

Head over to the level 3, near The Body Shop, to have a chat and watch her artwork come to life.

Find out more! 

Celebrate Female Indigenous Artists - Darling Harbour & Darling Quarter

Darling Harbour will also be kicking off the week with a Welcome to Country, Smoking Ceremony and traditional dance performed on Sunday 8 November.

This ceremony, however, will also serve as an opening to the ‘HERE I AM: Art by Great Women exhibition. 

In celebration of the art and achievements made by female Indigenous artists, this new exhibition will feature the work of eight women, who will each see two large-scale works displayed in Darling Quarter.

The exhibition will be available to view for free all day, every day, all the way up until January 30! 

Find out more! 

Find out more about NAIDOC Week 2020 here!

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