50 Years of NAIDOC Week

This year marks 50 years of NAIDOC Week.  That’s five decades of Australia celebrating the voices, culture, and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

As part of our ongoing commitment to valuing and respecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture and voices and advocating for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander recognition and justice, Anglicare WA staff will be involved in NAIDOC week events and celebrations across the state.

Although NAIDOC Week is a time of celebration, it is important to remember that it has its roots in activism and protest dating back to the early 20^th century.  Its origins lie in the fight for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights, particularly the landmark Day of Mourning held on 26 January 1938, the 150th anniversary of British colonisation.

Over the ensuing decades, the movement evolved from protest to nationwide celebration in the following manner:

• 1940–1955: The Day of Mourning became Aborigines Day, observed annually on the Sunday before Australia Day.
• 1955: The date was moved to July to shift the focus from protest to also celebrating Aboriginal culture and achievements.
• 1975: The National Aborigines Day Observance Committee (NADOC), which was established in 1957, extended the observance to a full week, marking the first official NAIDOC Week.
• 1991: NADOC became NAIDOC, formally including Torres Strait Islander peoples in the celebration.

This year, NAIDOC Week is taking place from 6 to 13 July, providing an opportunity for all Australians to not only celebrate, but listen deeply and learn about First Nations cultures and histories so that we can all walk forward in truth and respect.

The theme for this year’s milestone NAIDOC Week is ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy’.  The theme honours the enduring strength of First Nations people and celebrates "not only the achievements of the past but also the bright future ahead, empowered by the strength of our young leaders, the vision of our communities, and the legacy of our ancestors."

To find a local NAIDOC Week event near you, please click here.

To explore NAIDOC Week resources and toolkits, please click here.

To learn more about Anglicare WA’s Reconciliation journey and STRETCH Reconciliation Action Plan, please click  here.    

To learn more about our advocacy priority ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Recognition and Justice’, please click  here.