F.Y.I.

ABC celebrates NAIDOC Week 2019 with homepage ‘Blakout’

ABC is recognising and celebrating NAIDOC Week with an Indigenous-focused takeover of its homepage.

The announcement:

In an ABC first, the ABC homepage (abc.net.au) will feature all Indigenous design, stories and programming in an ABC Homepage Blakout*. Running for an entire week from midday Sunday 7 July to midday Sunday 14 July the Blakout celebrates Indigenous culture and NAIDOC week 2019, by showcasing stories from and about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

ABC News’ Indigenous Affairs reporter and Walkley Award winner Isabella Higgins will feature as Guest Editor. On the Blakout Isabella said:

“First Nations’ people have always been storytellers, it’s how we have passed down our knowledge for millennia, it’s the stories of my own family’s strength and survival that inspire me to do what I do.

It’s their stories of heartbreak and hardship, of trials and triumphs, that didn’t just shape me, but offer an insight into the true depth of history and culture in this nation.

I’m privileged to now tell the stories of so many Indigenous Australians for the ABC, who offer Australia an insight into our shared history.”

Kelrick Martin, ABC Head of Indigenous said:

“There is nothing more unique to Australia than its Indigenous people and culture. NAIDOC is our national annual event to unite, reflect and take pride in the value of that uniqueness. But NAIDOC shouldn’t just be left to our Indigenous community to celebrate alone. The spirit of NAIDOC should also be a recognition that Indigenous culture is a part of every Australian, to be worn with honour and respect.

In 2019 and beyond, I am proud to be part of the commitment by the national broadcaster to ensure all Australians have an opportunity to embrace Indigenous culture into their own identity – to incorporate Indigenous language into their everyday vocabulary, recognise and take collective ownership of both the good and bad historical accounts of this country.”

The ABC Homepage Blakout features the original artwork by artist and designer Jessica Johnson, who is a descendant of the Warumungu/Wombaya people north of Tennant Creek.

Content on the page will be completely devoted to the ABC’s collection of Indigenous stories and sounds, including curated articles from Stan Grant, Irene Watson and Sarah Maddison, and links to television and radio programming such as Blue Water Empire, the three-part landmark series that gives a unique insight into the history and culture of the Torres Strait Islands and an ABC iview collection of new short-form dramas, docos and comedy. Kids can learn about words in Language on the ABC KIDS Listen podcast – Little Yarns, watch Play School’s special Acknowledgement of Country episode and meet our new Play School toy Kiya!

*For those not in-the-know, a ‘Blakout’ is an Indigenous colloquial term for those occasions when you turn up to an event and there are heaps of blackfellas in the crowd. The term “blak” was coined by artist Destiny Deacon in 1990. It names the lived experience and identity of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

Source: ABC media release

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