​NAIDOC Week is a special opportunity for communities to learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories, and a chance to highlight crucial challenges that need to be addressed.

Held from 3-10 July, NAIDOC (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) Week is is a time for learning, connection and community. It's also an important time to reflect on the hardships faced by many First Nations people.

The City of Canterbury Bankstown will be celebrating NAIDOC Week with a series of special events, for people of all ages.

CBCity Mayor Khal Asfour is delighted to see the community embrace indigenous culture, particularly during this week which is intended to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

"It's exciting to know that our NAIDOC Week events open the world of First Nations to our entire community and I know how keen people will be to learn and engage with our Indigenous people,"  Mayor Asfour.

"What a fantastic opportunity to engage with amazing cultures that are thousands of years old! I'd like to encourage everyone to take part, educate yourself and have fun at the same time."

The NAIDOC Week events kick off with a celebration in Anzac Park in Campsie today, which is a small taster for the main event, the NAIDOC Family Fun Day at Bankstown Arts Centre and Griffith Park at 10am this Saturday. 

The Family Fun Day will start with a Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country and will include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dance performances, art exhibitions and weaving and cultural workshops. One of the performances will be by The Donovans, the family group that nurtured the early singing talent of Casey Donovan. For the kids there will be rides, face painting, an Australian wildlife show, Indigenous games and more. And when all this activity makes you hungry, grab some food at the free barbecue!

If you're looking for a school holiday activity, register the kids for a Traditional Indigenous Games Day at Morris Iemma Sports Centre on Tuesday 5 July. They will learn and play the games that have been played by Indigenous people for thousands of years. Free barbecue and prizes!

Two movies will also be shown as part of the celebration. The first, 'Occupation: Native', will be shown at Campsie Library on Wednesday 6 July. This film shares the stories of the impact of European settlement on significant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and will be followed by a question and answer session with a local Aboriginal Elder. The second, 'Bran Nue Dae', starring Rocky McKenzie, Jessica Mauboy, Ernie Dingo, Missy Higgins and Geoffrey Rush, will be shown at Bankstown Arts Centre on Friday 8 July, with a free barbecue starting at 6pm and the movie starting at 7pm.

Find full details of the events at cb.city/NAIDOC