Indigenous and non-indigenous groups from around the city will meet for barbecues, cake cuttings, flag raising, and parades in commemoration of indigenous history and achievement.

Mount Isa woman Pattie Lees said it was good for people to celebrate in these ways, but hoped the Injilinji-run trivia night she helped organise for a second year running would get everyone to stop and think about what they know about Australia’s indigenous history.

The quiz, to be held at the Overlander Hotel on Monday July 7, will test people’s knowledge of important dates, significant milestones and important indigenous figures.  

“The intent of it is to leave people with something more than the recreational side,” she said. 

“We wanted it to serve the purpose of educating the people of what NAIDOC is all about, it’s more than barbecues and sausage sizzles.

“It encourages all forms of participation and we hope they go away with a little more knowledge on indigenous aspects of history.”

Ms Lees said untold histories often stopped reconciliation in its tracks and the more shared knowledge the community could pick up on during the week, the better it was for progress between all of Australia’s cultures in the future. 

“If we don’t know our history we can’t have a thoughtful celebration and consider all of the themes,” she said. 

Ms Lees said she hoped more children and their parents would have time to support NAIDOC Week events while the school holidays were still on.

 WHAT’S ON:

SUNDAY, July 6: 

■Flag Raising. When: 10am-12.30pm, Where: Civic Centre lawns. This signifies the start of NAIDOC Week celebrations. Continental breakfast will be provided. Contact: Shaun Solomon and Stephanie King 4745 4529.

■NAIDOC Week mass: Held at the Catholic Church on Stanley Street from 6pm. Contact: Dolly Hankin 4743 0343.

MONDAY, July 7

■Mount Isa Big Healthy NAIDOC Breakfast: 7am–9am at the Burke Street Shed. The Homeless Health Outreach Team (HHOT), Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Service (ATODS) and the North West Hospital Health Services (NWHHS) invite you to the Big Healthy Breakfast – includes health screening checks and health promotion. Contact: James Cripps 4744 9100.

■NAIDOC Pioneer Family Fun Day: Held at Minnie Davis Park from 9am–12pm. Hosted by Centacare Family Services and includes a gate prize, face painting, BBQ, toddler activities tent, games. Contact: Elizabeth Gallard 4749 8100.

■Qld Police Service Flag Raising Ceremony: 10am-11am at the Mount Isa Police Station. Contact: Sgt Catherine Purcell 4744 1820.

■NAIDOC Trivia Cultural Challenge: Injilinji Youth Service will host the great trivia cultural challenge night at the Overlander from 6.30pm–10pm. Contact Patty Lees at Injilini on 4749 0005.

TUESDAY, July 8

■NAIDOC Mt Isa Hospital 2014 Recognition Ceremony 9am–2pm (Qld Hospital grounds) Qld Health, MICRRH, ATODS, Tropical Public Health Unit staff will host a community BBQ, dancing and live music, so come meet with the hard working staff at the hospital and Qld Health service providers. Contact: Fran Page 4744 7100.

WEDNESDAY, July 9

■NAIDOC Annual Elders Luncheon (invite only) : Hosted at the Overlander Hotel from 12pm-2pm. The Annual Elders Luncheon is for Elders only and recognises and pays tribute to them. For more information or to arrange to be picked up please contact Kaye Smith on 4745 4500.

■NAIDOC Open Day (Mount Isa Recovery Service): Mount Isa Recovery Service will host an Open Day with a Kupp-murri to honour NAIDOC Week from 12pm-2pm. Contact Chris Congoo on 4749 2553.

THURSDAY, July 10

■Homeless BBQ Breakfast: Hosted at Jimaylya Topsy Harry Centre from 7.30am-9.30am. Contact Person: Ashley Chong 4743 6196.

■NAIDOC Careers Expo: JobFind Mount Isa will be hosting this year’s NAIDOC Careers Expo Day in the Civic Centre from 10am–2pm. The Expo will showcase key agencies and businesses currently hosting Aboriginal and Torres Strait jobs and career pathways opportunities. For more information please contact Pauline Barton on 4744 4100.

■Qld Police Service Celebrating 150 Years Cultural Day: Hosted at the Mount Isa Police Station Recreational Area from 12pm-2pm. Follow the signs at the Police Station to Recreational Area. Contact: Sgt Catherine Purcell 4744 1820.

FRIDAY 11th July

■NAIDOC Breakfast 8am–9.30am. Breakfast will be held at the start of the NAIDOC March (Outback at Isa). Contact: Kaye Smith 4745 4500.

■NAIDOC March 9.30am start from Kalkadoon Tribal Council. NAIDOC March to commence from Kalkadoon Tribal Council (Cnr Mullan and Marian Street) proceed down Marian Street past MacDonald’s up Rodeo Drive pass Crazy Clarks, turn left on West Street, down to Isa Street bridge and down to George McCoy Park. Please note final MARCH directions to be approved by Qld Police and will be provided on the day. Contact: Kylie Happalcoski at Injilini 4749 5276.

■NAIDOC Family Fun Day 10.30am – 3.30pm (George Mc Coy Park). Live entertainment, dancing, food and information stalls. Stall Holders Application forms can be obtained from MOB FM. Contact: Val or Jenny at MOB FM 4749 1338.

SATURDAY 12th July

■NAIDOC Awards Nights: 7pm – midnight (Irish Club. Recognition and presentation of awards to local Indigenous people and organisations/businesses for their achievements. Tickets on sale now - $50 per person. Nominations Forms can be obtained from Noeleen Dempsey on 4749 2766.

■NAIDOC Movie Marathon: 6.30pm–11pm PCYC and Young People Ahead will host a Movie Marathon showcasing movies at PCYC. Contact: Liz Toeke 4743 1000.

SUNDAY 13th of July

■NAIDOC Gathering Reflections MASS 9am. Contact: Dolly Hankin 4743 0343.

■Flag Lowering Ceremony 10.30am–12pm Civic Centre Lawns with the lowering of the Flag signifying the end to the week-long NAIDOC celebrations. Contact: Kerry Parker 4747 2089.