About 3000 people took part in the National Aborigine’s and Indigenous Day of Observence Committee Week activities last week, in an effort to encourage reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians.

Participants were mostly locals but people also travelled from Leigh Creek, Port Pirie, Whyalla and Adelaide to be involved in the annual celebration of Aboriginal culture.

Port Augusta boasts one of the largest NAIDOC celebrations in South Australia with about 500 people joining in the March on Friday alone.

Umeewarra Media Association representative Vince Coulthard said there were large crowds at all the events.

"There was an awesome amount of people there.

“It was just really great to see Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people together," Mr Coulthard said.

The event is important for Indigenous Australians locally and nationally because it celebrates the values of Aboriginal customs and heritage.

"It's a time for us to stand proud … it's a time that all Australians should embrace during this week of celebration," he said.

After Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's apology to the stolen generations earlier this year, Mr Coulthard thinks that people are more aware of reconciliation and saying sorry has helped to boost attendance this year.

"Since Rudd's apology, the numbers have reflected that and the participation was just fantastic…people are getting more and more involved," he said.

After Mr Rudd's apology, Mr Coulthard thinks people were annoyed that no further action has been taken in the reconciliation process.

"People are a little disappointed that it's just a statement and nothing to go with it but people in the community want to make a difference," he said.

Mr Coulthard explained that sharing was a key element of Aboriginal culture and was the essence of what NAIDOC week is all about.

Cultural activities included boomerang making, storytelling and traditional dance and cooking demonstrations.

"Our culture is all about sharing and we like to share our culture and our way to non-Aboriginal people," he said.

NAIDOC awards were presented for outstanding achievements in a number of fields.

Josef Fuschetei, 18, won NAIDOC State Sportsman of the Year for his efforts playing football and basketball.

See the next edition of The Transcontinental for a full profile on Mr Fuschetei.

After a successful week, some concern was raised about why the Indigenous Coordination Centre had not displayed an Aboriginal flag.

It was later discovered that the centre has not flown flags for years due to them being weathered or stolen.

"They used to fly the flag everyday." Mr Coulthard said.