NITV celebrates NAIDOC Week with slate of special programming

22/06/2017

NITV celebrates NAIDOC Week with slate of special programming

21 June 2017

Media Release

NITV will be celebrating NAIDOC Week 2017 with a special programming slate and a broad scope of national on air coverage, which will explore this year's theme of, Our Languages Matter.

NAIDOC Week, which this year runs from 2-9th July, celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

NAIDOC's 2017 theme aims to emphasise and celebrate the unique and essential role that Indigenous languages play in both cultural identity and linking people to their land.

NITV will be producing content throughout Far North Queensland for NAIDOC Week covering the NAIDOC Ball, The Laura Festival and Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) as well as bespoke content for on air and digital.

NITV Channel Manager, Tanya Orman said We're excited to celebrate our culture and languages with NITV's NAIDOC Week slate. We'll be delivering live coverage of NAIDOC Week events, we have the world television premiere of NITV's commission, documentary film Zach's Ceremony and will be airing programs in language, such as the Little J & Big Cuz episodes.

NITV has curated a selection of programming for NAIDOC Week reflecting on the themes of culture and language

NAIDOC Ball:

Launching NITV's slate of NAIDOC Week programming is the NAIDOC Ball, which will be telecast live from Cairns on Saturday July 1 from 7.30pm-11.30pm. Broadcasting from the Cairns Convention Centre, Christine Anu and Steven Oliver will present the television coverage, and Hannah Hollis and Luke Carroll will present the NAIDOC Awards. The NAIDOC Awards are an opportunity to recognise and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, scholars, sportspeople and elders

News & Current Affairs:

The Point presenter Natalie Ahmat will be reporting live from Cairns and other locations in Far North Queensland during NAIDOC Week. The four live episodes of The Point will be on Monday 3rd - 6th July, 9pm.

Also on The Point on Monday 3rd July, will be a feature story by NITV journalist Ella Archibald Binge about the Laura Aboriginal Dance Festival, which is a celebration of Aboriginal culture in Cape York through song, dance, ceremony and performance.

Special Program Highlights:

Going Places with Ernie Dingo

Sunday 2 July, 7.30pm

Ernie travels to one of the most iconic Australian destination, the Great Barrier Reef, off the coast of north-eastern Queensland and meets people who have made this beautiful part of the world their home. He catches up with Yindinji elder Gudju Gudju who shows him the mangrove swamps, explaining their importance to the reef as a nursery for the multitude of fish species that inhabit the reef.

At James Cook University, Ernie meets Jamie, a toxinologist who is extremely passionate about his work with the deadly creatures that inhabit the ocean. Jamie shares with Ernie his goal to educate the world with his knowledge, with the hope of protecting oceans and natural environments. Ernie also takes a scuba dive with diving instructor Erin, and finds out what her job and living on the Reef means to her; and he meets couple Gareth, a skipper and his partner, Teresa, also a toxinologist, who are raising a family on knowing and loving the Reef.

Zach's Ceremony

Sunday 2 July, 8.30pm

Screener available at SBS Media Centre

Growing up isn't easy, especially for Zach who is rapidly making the transition from boyhood to manhood, in both the modern world and his culture.

Pressures from his loving, but staunch father Alec, the temptations of city life and the ever-present spectre of racism all take their toll. He feels too white to be accepted by his family and friends, and too black for his inner city peers. Combined with Alec's well-intentioned but strict style of parenting, Zach snaps and starts to rebel.

Against the backdrop of Indigenous oppression, Zach's teenage experimentation and his violent reactions to racism lead him to some dark places. His father knows that without a true connection to his culture, Zach is lost.

Ultimately, Zach must embrace the traditions and knowledge of his ancestors and awaken the warrior within.

Ailan Kastom

Sunday 2 July, 10pm

Screener available at SBS Media Centre

The Torres Strait is a unique part of Australia, straddling the sea between the tip of Cape York and Papua New Guinea, developed as a result of this isolation and the many influences that have travelled this ancient land route.

Ailan Kastom explores Torres Strait culture as it is today, examining the history and geography, and other influences that have made the culture what it is today.

From the top western islands, through the central islands all the way to the volcanic eastern islands, the Torres Strait is filled with music, dance, art and centuries-old ceremonies, passed on through Elders who share their lives and hopes for the future.

Little J & Big Cuz - In Language versions

Monday - Friday, 4pm in Jarjums

Screener available at SBS Media Centre

During NAIDOC Week NITV will air ten in language episodes of Little J & Big Cuz, languages will include, Djambarrpuyngu, Pitjantjatjara, Arrernte, Walmajarri, Yawuru and Palawa Kani.

Monday, 3 July

4.00pm - Episode: Hopalong Language: Arrernte

4.15pm - Episode: Night Owl & Morning Maggie Language: Djambarrpuyngu

Tuesday, 4 July

4.00pm - Episode: Goanna Ate my Homework Language: Pitjantjatjara

4.15pm - Episode: Lucky Undies Language: Walmajarri

Wednesday, 5 July

4.00pm - Episode: Nothing Scares Me Language: Yawuru

4.15pm - Episode: New Tricks Language: Arrernte

Thursday, 6 July

4.00pm - Episode: Hopalong Language: Palawa Kani

4.15pm - Episode: Old Monster Dog Language: Pitjantjatjara

Friday, 7 July

4.00pm - Episode: Lucky Undies Language: Arrernte

4.15pm - Epi

LINK:	http://www.sbs.com.au/aboutus/news-media-releases/view/id/1852/h/NITV-...
	See more stories from sbs

Most recent headlines

05/01/2027

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be demoed at CES 2026

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...

01/06/2026

Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026

January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026 Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...

02/05/2026

Dalet Flex LTS Delivers Smarter Search, Faster Editing, and an AI-Ready Foundation for Modern Media

Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...

01/05/2026

NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to Integrate Dolby's Full Suite of Premium Picture and Sound Innovations

January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...

01/04/2026

DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION

January 4 2026, 18:00 (PST) DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION Douyin Users Can Now Create And Share Videos With Stun...

18/03/2026

Net Insight Names Larissa GrnerMeeus CPO

Newly named chief product officer (CPO), Larissa G rner Meeus will return to Net Insight on May 4. Larissa G rner Meeus will become CPO of Net Insight on May 4...

18/03/2026

SVG Europe's The Football Summit 2026: Select Sessions Now Available to Watch on SVG PLAY

SVG Europe's The Football Summit 2026 explored how the sports broadcasting i...

18/03/2026

SVG's SportsTech@NABShow Blog Goes Live as Countdown to Vegas Heats Up

The 2026 NAB Show kicks off one month from today and SVG is once again set to cover the show from every angle. SVG's SportsTech@NAB Show Blog is now live - ...

18/03/2026

The Premiere of Dead Lover Showcases Grave Robbing and Sex With a Giant Finger

(L-R) The cast and crew of Dead Lover at The Ray Theater for its premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. (Photo by Robin Marshall/Shutterstock for Sundan...

18/03/2026

Music Row Piano from Wiltone Productions

Yamaha C7 captured in Nashville Wiltone Productions have announced the release of Music Row Piano, a deeply sampled Yamaha C7 piano library that's been ...

18/03/2026

Techivation introduce T-Warmer Mk2

Bass-enhancement plug-in upgraded Along with a steady stream of new releases, Techivation have recently been revisiting some of the older plug-ins in their ...

18/03/2026

Tonal Balance Control 3 from iZotope

Mix-reference plug-in overhauled iZotope's powerful mix-referencing plug-in has just reached its third major version, and now boasts a new capture proce...

18/03/2026

Toontrack Transistor Organ EKX

Latest EZKeys 2 expansion arrives Toontrack's staggering collection of EZKeys 2 expansions has grown once again, and the latest instalment delivers a on...

18/03/2026

Jess Ho explores the politics of food in new SBS Audio podcast For The Culture

Jess Ho explores the politics of food in new SBS Audio podcast For The Culture 18 March, 2026 Media releases New SBS Audio podcast For The Culture, hosted ...

18/03/2026

Future-ready broadcasts with ATSC 3.0 and enhanced services from Rohde & Schwarz at NAB 2026

Future-ready broadcasts with ATSC 3.0 and enhanced services from Rohde & Schwarz...

18/03/2026

LCTWS 2026

London Calling - When The Industry Convened to Help Streaming Find its MoJo In this blog, Laura Rognoni reflects on key discussions from the Connected TV World...

18/03/2026

SMPTE Unveils 2026 NAB Show Educational Presentations

SMPTE Unveils 2026 NAB Show Educational Presentations Brie Clayton March 18, 2026 0 Comments SMPTE , the home of media professionals, technologists, a...

18/03/2026

Auditel Ad Campaign Shot on Blackmagic PYXIS 12K

Auditel Ad Campaign Shot on Blackmagic PYXIS 12K Brie Clayton March 18, 2026 0 Comments LED wall virtual production blends 12K open gate acquisition w...

18/03/2026