What is NAIDOC Week?
NAIDOC Week is an annual celebration of the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, held across Australia in the first full week of July.
NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. The week grew out of the Day of Mourning protest held by Aboriginal activists in Sydney on 26 January 1938, the 150th anniversary of British settlement.
From 1940, Aborigines Day was held on the Sunday before Australia Day, and in 1955 it moved to the first Sunday in July. In 1975 it expanded into a week-long celebration, and Torres Strait Islanders were formally included in 1991.
How it is celebrated
Each year has a theme. Schools, workplaces and communities hold events such as flag raisings, art exhibitions, sports days, concerts and community gatherings.
The National NAIDOC Awards honour people such as the Person of the Year, Female Elder, Male Elder and Youth of the Year. The awards ceremony is held in a different city each year.
NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about the world's oldest continuing cultures and to recognise the contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Did You Know?
Each year a poster competition chooses the official NAIDOC poster from artworks submitted by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists.