NAIDOC Week celebrates the achievements and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. Its origins date back to the 1920s, when Aboriginal groups sought to raise awareness in the wider community of the status and treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
Prior to the 1920s, Aboriginal rights groups had boycotted Australia Day (26 January) in protest against the status and treatment of Indigenous Australians. However, it became apparent that the broader Australian community was not aware of the boycotts and a new approach was needed.
On Australia Day 1938, protestors marched in Sydney. The march was a prelude to a congress that was attended by around a thousand people. This is considered one of the first major civil rights gatherings in the world and was known as the Day of Mourning. It paved the way for later counter-movements on Australia Day, such as Invasion Day.
From 1940 until 1955, the Day of Mourning was held annually on the Sunday before Australia Day and was known as Aborigines Day. In 1955 Aborigines Day was shifted to the first Sunday in July after it was decided the day should become not simply a protest day but also a celebration of Aboriginal culture.
Following the establishment of the National Aborigines Day Observance Committee (NADOC), in 1975 it was decided that Aborigines Day should cover a week, from the first to second Sundays in July.
In 1991, NADOC became NAIDOC (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee), to recognise Torres Strait Islanders, and the committee's acronym has since become the name of the week itself. Each year, a theme is chosen to reflect the important issues and events for NAIDOC.
Learn more about Indigenous Australians
Note: The National NAIDOC Committee respectfully acknowledges the now defunct and inaccurate term 'Aborigines', while retaining the term in its title due to historic use by Elders in establishing this week of commemoration in 1938.
You can be involved in creating a nation of equity, cultural celebration, and shared prosperity. Join us to inspire future generations with unity.
Talk to us today
For more information, contact us on 1300 779 270 or make an enquiry now.
