THE annual national celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures - NAIDOC Week - commenced in the Tweed on Sunday with a flag raising ceremony at the Minjungbal Aboriginal Museum which was attended by Tweed Shire mayor, Barry Longland.

The theme of this year's event was chosen by the National NAIDOC Committee in celebration of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy's 40th anniversary, and acknowledges the key contributors to its history.

Councillor Longland said he looked forward to joining in the week-long celebrations.

"The Naidoc festivities are about recognising the contributions made by indigenous Australians in a variety of areas and gives all Australians the opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the uniqueness of the Aboriginal culture and its importance to today's multicultural Australia," Cr Longland said.

"Local indigenous groups will take the lead during most of the week's festivities, however, the celebration's aim is to include the entire Tweed community and all are welcome."

"I will be present at next week's Street March and Dinner Dance and hope to see many Tweed residents join me in celebrating this important week."

A church service at the Minjungbal Museum followed Sunday's flag raising ceremony but celebrations started in earnest last night with a Cultural Day and Curry Night at the Minjungbal Museum.

Today the Minjungbal Museum will host the induction of an outstanding member of the local Aboriginal community into the 'Indigenous Hall of Fame'.

The museum will also be the location for tomorrow's morning tea organised by Bundjalung Home Care.

Also programmed for tomorrow is a health expo and sports day at Arkinstall Park in Tweed Heads and on Thursday an Elders Day will be held at the North Burleigh Surf Life Saving Club.

There's an under 15 years fancy dress disco at Tweed Heads PCYC on Thursday evening and rounding off a busy week of activities will be the street march on Friday and a dinner dance later that night.

The Naidoc street march starts at the Civic Centre in Brett Street, Tweed Heads, at 10am followed by a corroborree at Goorimahbah in Jack Evans Boat Harbour at 11am.

The Friday night dinner dance will be held at Cudgen Leagues Club.

NAIDOC Week Celebrations

Tuesday

Indigenous Hall of Fame ceremony - Minjungbal Museum

Wednesday

Morning Tea - Bundjalung Home Care: 9.30am-12pm

Health and Sports Expo - Arkinstall Park: 8.30am-4pm

Thursday

Elders Day - North Burleigh Surf Life Saving Club: 12-4pm

Under 15 Fancy Dress Disco - Tweed Heads PCYC

Friday

NAIDOC Street March - Civic Centre: 10am start

Corroborree - Goorimahbah, Jack Evans Boat Harbour: 11am start

Dinner Dance - Cudgen Leagues Club: 6.30pm-12pm