Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People

The City of Canada Bay is part of the traditional lands of the Wangal people of the Darug Aboriginal Nation.  The Wangal people inhabited what is now known as the City of Canada Bay for thousands of years prior to European settlement.  The Wangal people held a deep connection to the land and landscape of the City of Canada Bay, the bush lands and foreshore areas were their lands, their home and part of the territory they were responsible for.

Traditionally, the lives of the Wangal people were strongly focused around the harbour and its foreshore.  The local area of Hen and Chicken Bay was traditionally a major meeting place for Aboriginal people from Port Jackson and the wider Sydney region and as such is a significant cultural and historical site within our City.  The Parramatta River, as it is now known, provided a large focus for local traditional food gathering, however the Wangal people also hunted animals, harvested plants and gathered raw materials in the local area.

Today, some Aboriginal people living in the area may still have ties to the Wangal people and the Darug Nation while others living in the City are likely to have ties with other parts of NSW and Australia.

Acknowledgement of Country

The City of Canada Bay acknowledges the Wangal people, part of the Darug nation, the traditional custodians of this land.

The City's Council pays respect to Elders past and present and extends this respect to all Aboriginal people living in or visiting the City of Canada Bay.

NAIDOC Week 2-9 July 2011

NAIDOC Week is a national event which celebrates the contributions, achievements, talents and skills of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and communities.

NAIDOC Week is held annually in the first full week of July.  It is an opportunity for all Australians to celebrate our Australian Indigenous culture, the world's oldest continuing culture, and its survival.

NAIDOC stands for National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee.  NAIDOC Week is now an initiative of the National NAIDOC Committee and supported by the Australian Government.

Local events are held around the country throughout NAIDOC Week offering access to a diverse range of activities which recognise and support local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

The City of Canada Bay will be holding various community activities and events during NAIDOC Week 2011.

For more information on NAIDOC Week events happening locally, check out the flyer below or contact Council's Community Project Officer on 9911 6555.