The Alice Springs Desert Park is running a special program for NAIDOC Week from the 2-9 July.

NAIDOC Week is held annually and is an occasion for all Australians to come together to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Alice Springs Desert Park Director Paul Ah Chee said the 2017 theme is Our Languages Matter and their program will explore the Arrernte language of Central Australia.

“Communication is an essential survival tool for humans and involves more than just speech. Arrernte has been spoken in Central Australia for tens of thousands of years. This language has been passed on orally through survival stories & songs,” said Mr Ah Chee.

The program also includes daily cultural presentations at 11am and 2.30pm on desert survival, discovering the importance of tracks and symbols and learning how traditional medicines are prepared and used.

“Feel the spirit with local Aboriginal guides and try your hand at traditional methods. A highlight is the 11am presentation with activities changing daily. Join a guide and find out about the plant medicine that Aboriginal people used and how the desert could be a pharmacy for them. Try your hand at traditional jewellery methods using native seeds and nuts or learn about the many tracks and symbols used to tell stories,” added Mr Ah Chee.

The Wedge-tailed Eagle or known by Arrernte as a Irretye plays an important part in telling the story of survival.  Throughout NAIDOC Week the 1.30pm Eagle Encounter will be extended to weekends, providing the opportunity to get up-close to Australia’s largest bird of prey.  Additional fees apply.

Explore your Desert Park these school holidays and learn how our language matters.

Standard entry fees to the Desert Park apply or a valid Territorian Pass is required.

The full NAIDOC Week program can be downloaded from www.alicespringsdesertpark.com.au or follow Alice Springs Desert Park on Facebook.

For media interviews please contact Estelle Marshall: 08 8951 8707