Celebrating NAIDOC: A Rich History and Powerful Future – 2025
- Brian AJ Newman LLB
- Jul 6
- 2 min read
National NAIDOC Week has become a cherished annual celebration in Australia, honouring the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This week of commemoration and celebration is deeply rooted in Australia's social justice history.
The Origins of NAIDOC Week
The journey of NAIDOC Week traces back to 26 January 1938, when a landmark protest known as the Day of Mourning took place. This significant civil rights gathering brought together over 1000 Aboriginal people at Australia Hall in Sydney to demand full citizenship rights and better living conditions. It marked a pivotal moment for activism, setting the foundation for the observance that would evolve into NAIDOC Week.
From 1940 to 1955, this day was marked as 'Aborigines Day' and was held the Sunday before Australia Day. In 1955, recognising the need to both protest injustices and celebrate Aboriginal culture, the event shifted to the first Sunday in July. The National Aborigines Day Observance Committee (NADOC) was established, which in 1974 became entirely represented by Aboriginal people. By 1975, NADOC expanded its celebration into a full week of activities.
In the subsequent years, NADOC grew to embrace Torres Strait Islander peoples, becoming known as NAIDOC – the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. The Committee remains responsible for guiding the week’s national celebrations and fostering awareness and appreciation for First Nations cultures across Australia.
NAIDOC Week 2025 – Strength, Vision & Legacy
In 2025, NAIDOC Week’s theme, "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy," encapsulates a powerful call to acknowledge the past while inspiring and empowering future generations. According to artist Jeremy Morgan Worrall, whose artwork "Ancestral Lines" beautifully encapsulates this theme, looking back to ancestors provides the strength and clarity needed to move forward confidently.
Worrall’s depiction connects family lines symbolically to knowledge, care, and the spiritual essence of Country, emphasising the continuity and evolution of Aboriginal heritage and identity.
The 2025 celebrations encourage participants to reflect deeply on the contributions and sacrifices of elders, while also committing to support and uplift young Indigenous voices who will shape the legacy of First Nations communities for decades to come.
Ways to Celebrate and Engage
The 2025 NAIDOC toolkit provides numerous ways to meaningfully participate in the celebration:
Host or attend local events: Engage with your community through cultural events and gatherings.
Educate and Inform: Download educational resources and share learnings within workplaces and schools.
Support Indigenous voices: Amplify Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creatives, authors, and businesses.
Respect and Appreciation: Engage authentically with Indigenous culture, ensuring cultural appreciation rather than appropriation.
NAIDOC Week is not just an annual event; it's a continual call for Australians to recognise, respect, and celebrate the profound contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This year's theme particularly encourages a deeper understanding of legacy, emphasising that supporting the next generation of Indigenous leaders ensures that the rich cultural tapestry of First Nations peoples remains strong and vibrant.
Let us embrace the strength, vision, and legacy of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities this NAIDOC Week and beyond.
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