NAIDOC Week 2026

NAIDOC Week has its origins in the Aboriginal protest movement. The Day of Mourning, held on 26 January 1938, became an annual ‘Aborigines Day’ observed on the Sunday before 26 January. In the 1950s, the event was moved to July and evolved from a day of protest into a week-long celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, achievements and resilience.

In 2026, NAIDOC Week will be celebrated from 5–12 July, under the theme: “Fifty Years of Deadly”

This year’s theme celebrates five decades of recognising and honouring the strength, resilience and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is a tribute to the people who built this movement: the Elders who stood firm, the organisers who created opportunities, the artists who turned resistance into expression, and the Communities who continue to show up, year after year.

Fifty Years of Deadly is more than a reflection on the past. It is a celebration of the momentum that continues to grow when culture leads and community comes first. It recognises the achievements of the last fifty years while looking ahead to the generations who will carry this legacy forward.

We encourage all members and subscribers to participate in NAIDOC Week by attending an Aboriginal Community-led event in your area, and/or hosting an event in your workplace, school or community.

NAIDOC Week provides an opportunity for all Australians to celebrate and learn from the oldest continuing cultures on earth and to recognise the contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to our shared future.

To learn more about NAIDOC Week 2026 and find events in your area, please click here. We also encourage you to visit the NAIDOC Week website for more information.

We’re compiling a statewide list of NAIDOC Week events. To have your event included on the Reconciliation Tasmania website list, please email cassie@rectas.com.au.