National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday), to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. You can support and get to know your local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities through activities and events held across the country. 

NAIDOC Week is a time for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to celebrate their care of country, and their history of survival as a nation. This week is an opportunity for all Tasmanians to participate and celebrate with their local Aboriginal community.

For a list of statewide events check out our Upcoming Events page.

The 2024 NAIDOC Week theme is Keep the Fires Burning! Black, Loud and Proud. This year’s theme celebrates the unyielding spirit of First Nations communities across the country and invites all to stand in solidarity, amplifying the voices that have long been silenced.

The fire represents the enduring strength and vitality of Indigenous cultures, passed down through generations despite the challenges faced. It is a symbol of connection to the land, to each other, and to the rich tapestry of traditions that define Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. As we honour this flame, we kindle the sparks of pride and unity, igniting a renewed commitment to acknowledging, preserving, and sharing the cultural heritage that enriches our nation.

“Blak, Loud and Proud” encapsulates the unapologetic celebration of Indigenous identity, empowering First Nations to keep standing tall in their heritage and assert their place in the modern world. This theme calls for a reclamation of narratives, an amplification of voices, and an unwavering commitment to justice and equality. It invites all Australians to listen, learn, and engage in meaningful dialogue, fostering a society where the wisdom and contributions of Indigenous peoples are fully valued and respected.

Through our collective efforts, we can forge a future where the stories, traditions, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are cherished and celebrated, enriching the fabric of the nation with the oldest living culture in the world.

The National NAIDOC Poster competition is an iconic feature of National NAIDOC Week with a rich and significant history beginning in 1967 when the National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) first began producing posters.

NAIDOC posters have been exhibited by various Australian cultural institutions such as the National Museum of Australia and reflect the many significant social changes over the years. Each year the National NAIDOC Week Poster Competition encourages Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists aged 16 years and over to submit artwork which reflecting that year’s National NAIDOC Week Theme. 

Winners of the National NAIDOC Week Poster competition have had the opportunity to work with organisations such as the Australian Open, Microsoft, The Project television show and various state travel authorities. 

2024 Poster Title – Urapun Muy

Artist – Deb Belyea, SAMUAWGADHALGAL, TORRES STRAIT

‘Urapun Muy’, from the Kalaw Kawaw Ya dialect of the Top Western Islands of the Torres Strait, means ‘One Fire’. The title of this work pays homage to Torres Strait Islanders and Aboriginal people everywhere, as we all have that one fire: our passion for our culture.

In this work, I have depicted the hands of our ancestors that have carefully dropped a burning ember on to a fire. This ember burns hot with intensity, stoking the flames, as it combines with the new fire. The linear detail shows the energy and power as cultural knowledge is transferred from our ancestors to us today. Culture is the fire that gives us knowledge, wisdom and purpose.

It is our responsibility to maintain, practice, and pass on our fire to our future generations. Afterall, Culture keeps us Blak, Loud and Proud.

In 2023 our NAIDOC Week Film Showcase, our second ever, went completely regional hitting Bicheno, Scottsdale, Smithton and New Norfolk.

We took the film Ablaze on the road. The film follows Yorta Yorta man, opera singer and Senior Lecturer in and Indigenous Arts and Culture at the Victorian College of the Arts Tiriki Onus on a journey to discover if his grandfather Bill Onus was the first Aboriginal film maker. Bill was an entrepreneur, performer and activist, being particularly active during the 1967 Referendum.