5-12 July: “50 Years of Deadly”
NAIDOC Week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This year's theme, “50 Years of Deadly”, marks more than five decades since NAIDOC became an entirely Indigenous-led committee (SBS News).
Where the name comes from
NAIDOC stands for the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee, the body that has organised the week since 1991. Like many long-running observances, the name has outlasted the exact committee structure behind it, but it has stuck because it is so widely recognised.
A short history
- 1938The Day of Mourning: Aboriginal activists including William Cooper, Douglas Nicholls and Jack Patten led a protest and congress in Sydney on Australia Day, one of the first major civil rights gatherings of its kind.
- 1940-1955Held annually as Aborigines Day, on the Sunday before Australia Day.
- 1955The observance moved to the first Sunday in July.
- 1956-1990The National Aborigines Day Observance Committee (NADOC) formed to organise the day nationally; the second Sunday in July became a day of remembrance for Aboriginal people and their heritage.
- 1975The observance expanded from a single day to a full week, from the first to the second Sunday in July.
- 1991-presentThe committee was renamed the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC), extending recognition to Torres Strait Islander people and culture.
Source: naidoc.org.au/about/history.
Simple ways to mark it in the classroom
None of these need special resources, just a bit of time set aside and a willingness to look things up properly rather than guess.
Start with an Acknowledgement of Country
If your school has one written for your local area, read it together and talk about what it means. If not, your local council or land council website usually has one for your region.
Learn this year's theme
"50 Years of Deadly" marks more than five decades since NAIDOC became an entirely Indigenous-led committee. Ask students what they think has changed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities in that time.
Look up a local NAIDOC event
Most cities and regional areas run NAIDOC Week events (markets, performances, exhibitions). Check your local council or naidoc.org.au for what's on nearby.
Read books by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authors
A school or local library is the best place to find age-appropriate titles; ask a librarian rather than relying on a general search.
Display the flags, and know what they mean
The Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag are both officially recognised flags of Australia. AIATSIS (aiatsis.gov.au) has accurate background on their design and history.
Authoritative places to learn more
- naidoc.org.au — the official NAIDOC Week site: theme, history, and this year's events.
- aiatsis.gov.au — the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, for accurate background on history, culture and language.
- reconciliation.org.au — Reconciliation Australia, for classroom-ready reconciliation resources.
Frequently asked questions
When is NAIDOC Week 2026?
5-12 July 2026. The dates move slightly each year because NAIDOC Week always runs from the first Sunday to the second Sunday in July.
What does NAIDOC stand for?
National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee, the name of the committee that has organised the week since 1991. The name is a holdover from that committee, kept because it is so widely recognised.
What is this year's theme?
"50 Years of Deadly", marking more than five decades since NAIDOC became an entirely Indigenous-led committee.
Is NAIDOC Week only for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people?
No. It began as an Aboriginal-led observance and remains led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations, but it is a national week that everyone in Australia is invited to take part in and learn from.
Teaching the Australian Curriculum? See our Australian Curriculum (ACARA v9) worksheets.
NAIDOC Week worksheets
Free printable worksheets on NAIDOC Week's own history, computed and checked, never guessed.