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5/6S NAIDOC WEEK: Researching Famous Indigenous Australians

National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday) to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. You can support and get to know your local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities through activities and events held across the country.

Introduction by Riley and Ms Sartoria

Adam Goodes is a leading Australian AFL star, sporting hero and an Australian of the Year in 2014. Adam is known for his community work and anti-racism advocacy, on top of a 350-game career with the Sydney Swans.

Information contributed by Liam W

Albert Namatjira was a famous aboriginal artist known mainly for his amazingly great watercolour paintings of the barren landscape in the centre of Australia. He was born on the 28th July 1902 and died from hypertensive heart failure on the 8th of August 1959. 

Information contributed by Jordan

Linda Jean Burney (born 25 April 1957) is a proud member of the Wiradjuri nation. She is an Australian politician and is an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives, representing Barton since the 2016 federal election. She is Minister for Indigenous Australians in the Albanese ministry, and the first Aboriginal woman to serve in that position. 

Information contributed by Anna

Danzal James Baker OAM, known professionally as Baker Boy, is a Yolngu rapper, dancer, artist, and actor. Baker Boy is known for performing original hip-hop songs incorporating both English and Yolŋgu Matha. At the start of Baker Boy’s life his father and uncle influenced him to be a hip-hop dancer. Then he started singing. Just after he started singing, he released his first album.           

Information contributed by Asha

Eddie Mabo was the first person to make a school for aboriginal children to learn about their culture and language. However, he is most famous for his work for indigenous land rights. After ten years in the courts he overturned terra nullias, the law that said no one had owned the land here prior to white people.

Information contributed by Charlotte

Christine Anu (born 15 March 1970) is an Australian singer, songwriter and actress of Torres Strait Islander heritage. She gained popularity with the cover song release of the Warumpi Band's song "My Island Home". Anu has been nominated for 17 ARIA Awards. 

Information contributed by Poppy

David Ngunaitponi, known as David Unaipon, was an Aboriginal Australian man of the Ngarrindjeri people. He was a preacher, inventor and author. He was born in 28/9/1872, he has made some incredible stuff. Unaipon's contribution to Australian society helped to break many Aboriginal Australian stereotypes, and he is featured on the Australian $50 note in commemoration of his work.

Information contributed by Will

Elma Gada Kris is an Australian dancer, choreographer, actor, teacher and NAIDOC award winner. She is a Torres Strait Islander woman of the Wagadagam, Kaurareg, Sipingur, Gebbara and Kai Dangal Buai peoples, and a member of the Bangarra Dance Theatre. She is a passionate champion for her people and culture.

Information contributed by Harmony

Cathy Freeman was the first Australian Indigenous person to become a Commonwealth Games gold medalist at age 16 in 1990. At the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Canada, Freeman won gold in both the 200 m and 400 m. She also won the silver medal at the 1996 Olympics and came first at the 1997 World Championships in the 400 m event. In 2000, she became the first indigenous Australian to win an individual Olympic gold medal. In 2007, she founded the Cathy Freeman Foundation.

Information contributed by Jackson, Urijah and Holly

Jessica Mauboy was born in Darwin on the 4th of August, 1989. She is one of the most successful artists in Australia. Jessica is from the Kuku Yalanji people and started her career in 2006.  

Information contributed by Arianna and Carley

Noel Pearson (born 25 June 1965). Noel was part of the Black Lives Matter organisation. He is an Australian lawyer, academic, land rights activist and founder of the Cape York Institute for Policy and Leadership, an organisation promoting the economic and social development of Cape York. 

Information contributed by Ella

Percy Francis Hobson was an Australian high jumper. He won the men's event at the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Perth, making him the first Indigenous Australian to earn a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games. He was born on 5 November,1942 and he died in 2022. 

Information contributed by Liam Y and Billy

Samantha Linette Pearl Riley OAM is an Australian breaststroke swimmer of Aboriginal descent who competed for Australia in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona and the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, winning three medals. Samantha Riley is famous for breaststroke in swimming. 

Information contributed by Gracepics in Atlanta, winning three medals. Samantha Riley is famous for breaststroke in swimming. 

Information contributed by Grace