For Gerald Power, NAIDOC Week is about more than celebrating Aboriginal culture. It is about bringing together people in a way that benefits all of the community.
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Mr Power is the chairperson for this year's Orange NAIDOC Committee and while the city's events won't be held until later in the year, he says there is still reason to celebrate now.
"Last Thursday we finalised all the expressions of interest, so every one of the programs is ready to go and have leaders and supporters for each of the events, which is very exciting," he said.
"Everything is a go at the moment and we're just hoping that COVID will give us a break and we can have some of our key events like the awards night and the march to go ahead."
Celebrations are held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
NAIDOC Week is celebrated nationally not only in indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life.
The Orange community celebrates NAIDOC Week in November each year due to the routinely cold weather in the middle of the year.
The events are organised by the local Aboriginal community in conjunction with Orange City Council.
"It's thoroughly important because it showcases the First Nation people but it also allows the community to be a part of it," Mr Power added.
"NAIDOC has really become a flagship of sharing culture. When you look at the schools, you look at the services, you look at people across the villages, towns and cities, all celebrating this amazing time that we can come together.
"It is a vital event that happens every year and allows everyone to share where before it didn't really happen."
This year's theme is 'Heal Country' and Mr Power emphasised the importance of that message.
"The theme is about taking care of land and the Aboriginal people have a strong sense of that because we've always believed that if we take care of Mother Earth then Mother Earth will take care of us and if we don't look after Mother Earth then Mother Earth won't look after us," he said.
"This includes making sure our waterways are clean and that we harvest things properly."
The Orange NAIDOC event is scheduled to take place during the first week of November.
It will include and arts exhibition at the Orange Civic Centre, a family fun day, the march down the main street and the awards night to cap off the event, among other events. NAIDOC stands for the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee.
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