31 July 2019

The second annual UQ NAIDOC Festival honouring the theme of Voice Treaty Truth will be held at The University of Queensland from 6-8 August.

The festival will include events at UQ’s St Lucia, Gatton and Herston campuses.

This year’s NAIDOC theme ‘Voice Treaty Truth - Let’s work together for a shared future’, reflects the reforms set out in the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement) Professor Bronwyn Fredericks said the powerful theme offered an opportunity for students, staff and the broader community to talk about the Australian Constitution, possible changes and ways of working towards a shared future.

“Honouring NAIDOC Week is a perfect opportunity to start, renew or continue building relationships and shared experiences, and encourages individuals, groups and the University to be drivers in change,” Professor Fredericks said.

The Festival program will include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music performances, film screenings, writing, language, yarning and painting workshops.

There will also be panel discussions offering open and honest dialogue on the theme, UQ Art Museum and Fryer Library tours, market stalls, an Elders Tent and Indigenous foods and beverages.

Festival headliners include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians and performers the Yirrmal, Ziggy Ramo, Emily Wurramurra, Nunukul Yuggera Aboriginal performers and Malu Kiai Mura Baui.

Acting Director of the ATSIS Unit, Professor Tracey Bunda, said she was pleased UQ was working hard to make UQ NAIDOC Festival one of its annual feature events.

“NAIDOC Week is an important time where communities can celebrate and recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures, histories and languages,” Professor Bunda said.

UQ Gatton will host a mini-festival on Wednesday 7 August from 10am to 2pm, while the Herston campus will host a barbecue lunch and performance on Tuesday 6 August from 11am to 1pm.

“This is a significant event on the University calendar and we can’t wait celebrate with students, staff, and communities.”

To register visit the 2019 UQ NAIDOC festival website

Media: Kelly Roberts, Project Officer, kelly.roberts@uq.ed.au, +61 7 3365 7051.