Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities

Local indigenous dance group performing
Griffith is located in the heart of the Wiradjuri Nation – the largest nation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSIC) people in Australia.
 
Griffith City Council recognises Aboriginal people in the history and growth of Griffith and its surrounding villages. As such, Council acknowledges the Wiradjuri people as the traditional owners of the land and pays respect to Wiradjuri Elders past, present and future, and respects Wiradjuri cultures and traditions and connection to the Land, and works to foster strong links with the Aboriginal community.

In the 2011 Census, there were 24,364 people in Griffith with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people making up 4.1% of the population.

The Griffith Local Aboriginal Lands Council (GLALC) is the peak Aboriginal representative forum for the Griffith Aboriginal community. The GLALC advocates for the interest of the community, maintains strategic oversight of community development, and negotiates improvement in service delivery and coordination on behalf of the community. The GLALC play a significant role in identifying and preserving the Aboriginal heritage and culture of this area, as well as managing the Aboriginal Land Claims in the area. 

Many members of our community are Wiradjuri people, originating from surrounding areas such as Narrandera and Darlington Point. Our community also includes people who are descended from other language groups such as Yota Yota people, Ngiyampaa people and Paakantji people.

Reconciliation Week

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
The dates for NRW remain the same each year; 27 May to 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.

View our Reconciliation Action Plan booklet

View a PDF of the RAP, click here(PDF, 11MB)

Statement of Commitment

Griffith City Council is committed to:

  • participating in processes which enhance the understanding and awareness of indigenous heritage and preserves and presents that heritage in a sensitive and dignified manner;
  • encouraging indigenous and non-indigenous Australians to work together for a just, harmonious and progressive society;
  • adopting and promoting policies and programmes which are non-discriminatory and which recognise the needs of our indigenous community, and
  • being representative of all members of our community in ensuring that the principles and commitments of this statement are upheld.

Find out more about Griffith City Council's Aboriginal Cultural Protocols(PDF, 11MB)

Significant dates

Significant Dates

26 January Survival Day
February Anniversary of the Apology
13 March National Close the Gap Day

26 May

National Sorry Day commemorates the history of forcible removals of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander children from their families and placing them in care by non-Indigenous foster parents (the Stolen Generation). Its complementary name is Journey of Healing Day.

Last week in May

National Reconciliation Week promotes reconciliation between the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples of Australia.
May/June National Reconcilliation Week
3 June Mabo Day

2 - 9 July

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Week otherwise known as NAIDOC (National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee) Week, has been celebrated since 1975 as a sign of remembrance of Aboriginal people and heritage.

9 July

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Day is celebrated as part of NAIDOC Week.
4 August International Day of the World’s Indigenous People

9 August

International Day for the World's Indigenous People draws attention to the poverty suffered by many of the world's 350 million Indigenous people.

Aboriginal Cultural Protocols

Aboriginal Cultural Protocols(PDF, 11MB)

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