NITV celebrates NAIDOC Week with slate of special programming

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-...
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