The Deputy Prime Minister and Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, has urged people in the New England Electorate to apply for funding through a $1.4 million Turnbull/Joyce Government grants round to support events that will celebrate the history, culture and achievements of First Australians as part of NAIDOC Week activities in July this year.
 

The 2017 NAIDOC grants funding round is part of a larger $1.9 million investment by the Government to support NAIDOC celebrations this year.

Mr Joyce said NAIDOC Week provided an opportunity for people in the New England Electorate to come together to reflect on the enduring identity and unique place of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia’s history.

“This year’s national NAIDOC theme, Our Languages Matter, focuses on the importance, resilience and richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages,” Mr Joyce said.

“For First Australians, language is a way of linking people to their land and water and it is how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and history has been shared through generations.

“The Coalition recognises the importance of Indigenous language preservation and has committed more than $20 million annually to help preserve Indigenous languages.

“NAIDOC Week events this year will celebrate Indigenous languages and the unique place of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia. Organisations in the New England Electorate will be able to stage NAIDOC activities, like community marches, cultural business exhibitions or festivals for everyone to celebrate First Australians.

“I recognise the contribution of Indigenous Australians to the communities of the New England Electorate and the important place they have in our community’s culture and history.”

NAIDOC Week 2017 will run nationally from 2-9 July. Details about the 2017 NAIDOC grants funding round are available on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet website. Applications are open now and close on 27 April.

(ENDS)