There was widespread sadness across Griffith and the rest of NSW last week, as hundreds of NAIDOC Week celebrations were cancelled due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.

Griffith Local Aboriginal Land Council chairperson Vickie Louise Simpson said the events being called off two years in a row is a big disappointment - but not an excuse to let the week go to waste.

"Generally the only times we all come together is for sorry business like funerals and remembrance," Ms Simpson said.

"NAIDOC Week is the only chance we get for the Aboriginal community locally and nationally to celebrate the achievements of Aboriginal people - what we've been through and where we're going.

"It is disappointing we can't come together but we can still acknowledge NAIDOC Week in other ways."

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Ms Simpson said Griffith residents could consider actions as simple as sharing a relevant post on social media or watching an Indigenous Australian film - small acts which are still vital acknowledgements of Aboriginal culture.

"NAIDOC Week is all about creating awareness and having the opportunity to be involved and learn about our culture and being a part of that sharing and the story telling - that kind of stuff doesn't have to stop," she said.

Last year saw NAIDOC Week committees across Australia postpone their celebrations to November.

Ms Simpson said a similar decision would likely be made again this year, though admitted it wasn't clear yet when the events would be postponed to.

"Whenever we can safely do it we will do it," she said.

Some of the cancelled Griffith events included an official flag raising ceremony, a family fun day and a NAIDOC awards ceremony organised by the Aboriginal Medical Service, as well as the Ngumbaay-dyil Day at Yarrawarra Park and kids disco coordinated by the Griffith Local Aboriginal Land Council.

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