NAIDOC Week is one of Australia’s most vibrant and powerful annual celebrations—an opportunity to recognise and honour the rich history, diverse cultures, and enduring contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is a time for all Australians to reflect, acknowledge, and engage with the legacy of the world’s oldest continuing cultures, and the vital role they play in shaping our shared future.
The History of NAIDOC Week
The origins of NAIDOC Week are grounded in truth-telling and resistance. What began as the Day of Mourning in 1938—when Aboriginal leaders gathered in protest of 150 years of colonisation and injustice—grew into a national movement advocating for the rights and recognition of First Nations peoples.
By the 1970s, the event was formalised under the name National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC). Since then, NAIDOC Week has evolved into a nationwide celebration embraced by schools, governments, community organisations, and businesses. It is a week of reflection, celebration, and learning that honours the survival, strength, and achievements of First Nations peoples.
2025 Theme: “The Next Generation – Strength, Vision & Legacy”
The 2025 NAIDOC Week theme, “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy”, pays tribute to the future custodians of First Nations culture, knowledge, and leadership. It recognises the young people who are stepping forward—grounded in the strength of their ancestors, guided by cultural wisdom, and driven by a bold vision for change.
This theme invites us to honour:
Strength – The resilience inherited from generations who fought for land rights, justice, language, and truth-telling.
Vision – The future imagined and created by First Nations youth, informed by culture and community.
Legacy – The living history being built today, as young people continue to assert their identity, rights, and leadership with pride and purpose.
This year’s theme is both a celebration and a call to action: to support, mentor, and walk alongside the next generation as they shape the future with cultural confidence, innovation, and determination.
How Australia Will Celebrate
During NAIDOC Week 2025, communities around the country will gather for marches, art exhibitions, music festivals, community BBQs, flag-raising ceremonies, yarning circles, and cultural workshops. These events will highlight young voices, showcase cultural excellence, and foster intergenerational connections.
Whether you are attending a local event, organising activities in your workplace or school, or simply taking time to listen and learn—NAIDOC Week is a moment for all Australians to engage meaningfully with First Nations cultures and histories.
Buy with Purpose: Support the Next Generation of Cultural Entrepreneurs
At Welcome to Country, we proudly support over 200 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses and creators who are sharing their culture through experiences and products. From bush foods and handcrafted art to immersive tours and language workshops, these entrepreneurs are building economic independence and cultural pride for themselves and their communities.
By purchasing through our Welcome to Country marketplace, you’re not just buying a product—you’re engaging with culture, honouring legacy, and investing in the next generation of First Nations leaders.
This NAIDOC Week, we invite you to buy with purpose. Support First Nations businesses. Celebrate culture. And be part of shaping a future defined by strength, vision, and legacy.
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