Significant dates for cultural events for 2021

The list below contains dates and information for these events.  Due to COVID-19 disruptions please check directly with the event organiser for the latest updates on face-to-face events.

Anniversary of the National Apology Day to Stolen Generations, Saturday 13 February 2021
This event marks the anniversary of the Apology to Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the House of Representatives chamber at Parliament House in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, at 9:00am on 13 February 2008 by former Prime Minister, The Hon. Kevin Rudd. The Apology related to past laws, policies and practices that have impacted on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, particularly members of the Stolen Generations. The motion was supported by the Opposition and passed through both houses of Parliament. Brendan Nelson AO (former federal Leader of the Opposition) gave a formal response. Members of the Stolen Generations were invited to hear the National Apology first-hand in the gallery of the chamber and thousands more filled the Great Hall of Parliament House and flowed out onto the lawns to watch it on big screens. The Apology was broadcast across Australia. For more information – see fact sheet here.

View information: Australian Government

Harmony Week, Monday 15 -Sunday 21 March 2021
Harmony Week is a week of cultural respect for everyone who calls Australia home – from the Traditional Owners of this land to those who have come from many countries around the world. By participating in Harmony week activities, people can learn and understand how all Australians from diverse backgrounds equally belong to this nation and enrich it.

View information: Harmony Week

National Close the Gap Day, Sunday 19 March 2021
The Close the Gap campaign is the result of the Australian public’s overwhelming support for improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The Close the Gap campaign for Indigenous Health Equality is a highly regarded movement that has shaped government policy. It is led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and supported by mainstream health and advocacy organisations from around the country.

Every year people are encouraged to hold their own event on National Close the Gap Day to bring people together, to share information — and most importantly — to take meaningful action in support of achieving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health equality by 2030.

View information: ANTaR

National Sorry Day, Wednesday 26 May 2021
National Sorry Day is a significant day for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and particularly for Stolen Generations survivors. The idea of holding a ‘Sorry Day’ was first mentioned as one of the 54 recommendations of the Bringing them home report, which was tabled in Federal Parliament on 26 May 1997. This report was the result of a two year National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families, conducted by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (now called the Australian Human Rights Commission).  On 26 May 1998, the first ‘Sorry Day’ was held to commemorate the anniversary of the report and remember the grief, suffering and injustice experienced by the Stolen Generations. It is now commemorated across Australia, with many thousands of people participating in memorials and commemorative events, in honour of the Stolen Generations.

View information: Reconciliation Australia (information for 2021 not available yet)

View website: Healing Foundation

National Reconciliation Week, Thursday 27 May – Thursday 3 June 2021
National Reconciliation Week is a time for everyone to join the reconciliation conversation and reflect on shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to explore how everyone can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. It is held annually from 27 May to 3 June each year and is a time to celebrate and build on the respectful relationships shared by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians. Preceded by National Sorry Day on 26 May, National Reconciliation Week is framed by two key events in Australia’s history, which provide strong symbols for reconciliation:

• 27 May 1967 – the referendum that saw more than 90% of Australians vote to amend the constitution to allow the Commonwealth to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and recognise them in the census.
• 3 June 1992 – the Australian High Court delivered the Mabo decision, which recognised that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a special relationship with the land. This paved the way for land rights known as native title. Mabo Day is held annually on 3 June to celebrate the life of Eddie Koiki Mabo.

View information: National Reconciliation Week (information for 2021 not available yet)

National NAIDOC Week, Sunday 4 July – Sunday 11 July, 2021 
Theme: Heal Country!
This year’s theme – Health Country calls for stronger measures to recognise, protect and maintain all aspects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage. National NAIDOC Week, usually held in the 1st week of July each year. NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. Its origins can be traced to the emergence of Aboriginal groups in the 1920s which sought to increase awareness in the wider community of the status and treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

Events will be held around Australia during the week to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It will culminate in the 2021 National NAIDOC Awards Ceremony in Alice Springs. This year’s ceremony will include the 2020 and 2021 awards due to the cancellation of the 2020 awards in June last year. The National NAIDOC Awards recognise the outstanding contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Nominations for the 2020 National NAIDOC Awards are open until 5:00pm (AEDT), Monday 22 March 2021.

View information: NAIDOC Week

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day, Wednesday 4 August 2021
National Aboriginal and Islander Children’s Day (Children’s Day) is a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children’s strength and culture and is held annually on 4 August. It is an opportunity to show support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, as well as learn about the crucial impact that culture, family and community play in the life of every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child. Children’s Day was first observed by the Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) – National Voice for our Children in 1988. Each year SNAICC produces and distributes Children’s Day Bags and other resources to purchase, to help celebrations for Children’s Day.

View information: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day (information for 2021 not available yet)

International Day of the World’s Indigenous People, Monday 9 August 2021
The International Day of the World’s Indigenous People was first proclaimed by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly by resolution 49/214 of 23 December 1994 and shall be observed on 9 August each year. The date marks the day of the first meeting, in 1982, of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights.

View information: United Nations (information for 2021 not available yet).