Orange's NAIDOC Week celebrations will quite literally kick off on Sunday, not with the traditional street march but with the Harmony Cup.
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The annual round-robin soccer-match will see last year's Cup winners, the Indigenous team, take on a Nepalese-Indian side, African team and South American side.
In addition to the tournament, the day's festivities will also include an online talent contest, golf day, Elders Lunch and both Indigenous and multicultural food and dance.
Orange NAIDOC Committee Chair Gerald Power said NAIDOC was scaled down this year due to COVID-19 but the spirit for the week was just as strong and vibrant as it was every year.
"The national theme for this year's NAIDOC Week is Always Was, Always Will Be [Aboriginal land]. As we reflect on and explore our nation's history, all 65,000 years of history, our nation's First Peoples navigated the land, farmed the land, studied and learned from the land," Mr Power said.
"The theme investigates how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples adapted to the changing environment, survived and thrived during drought, bush fires and rising sea levels."
Orange NAIDOC Week begins with a small group of local Elders, and community members participating in a smoking ceremony, flag raising ceremony and an official welcome on Monday, November 9.
The Harmony Cup kicks off at 11.30am at Sir Jack Brabham Park and runs until 3pm on Sunday.
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