Indigenous culture acknowledged down under

Australia's rich and ancient culture is the focus of national events in the first week of July.

Celebrating the survival of country's indigenous culture and the contribution which its peoples make to modern society, National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Week is marked across Australia from Sydney to Darwin with a range of cultural events.

Those flying out to Australia in the week of July 2nd – 9th 2006 can expect to witness a whole range of events on the theme of respect for the past – believe in the Future, with particular focus on the city of Cairns, the centre for this year's celebrations.

The national festivities have been organised annually by the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) since the 1950s after many years of struggle by the aboriginal people for recognition and restitution.

Across Australia people will be celebrating aboriginal culture, with education projects, studying its history, language music and arts and visiting important sites throughout the week.

There will also be a national poster competition and on July 8th Cairns will host the NAIDOC Ball and awards ceremony, celebrating the achievements of indigenous communities.

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