2026 Theme: 50 Years of Deadly
2026 Theme: 50 Years of Deadly
National NAIDOC Week 5 – 12 July
In 2026, NAIDOC Week celebrates a powerful milestone: 50 years of honouring the strength, culture, and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This year’s theme, “Fifty Years of Deadly,” recognises the people, movements, and communities who have shaped NAIDOC into the powerful national celebration it is today.
For five decades, NAIDOC Week has amplified the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities—calling for truth, celebrating culture, honouring resistance, and recognising the leadership of First Nations peoples across the country. What began as a movement for justice and recognition has grown into a national moment of pride, reflection, and celebration.
Guided by the wisdom of Elders and the determination of generations who refused to be silenced, NAIDOC continues to honour the stories, languages, art, and leadership that have carried this movement forward. These fifty years stand as a testament to the strength of community and the enduring power of culture.
As we mark this historic milestone, we celebrate not only the journey so far but also the future ahead, one led by strong communities, proud identities, and the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders.
NAIDOC Week reminds us that this celebration is more than a single week.
It is an ongoing movement grounded in culture, community, and resilience – past, present, and future.
In the spirit of NAIDOC Week 2025, we sat down with Blake Cansdale, National Director of ANTAR, to explore what it means to honour Elders, empower the next generation of change-makers, and embed truth-telling in all levels of policy and practice. His insights offer a timely and powerful reminder that genuine reconciliation requires both courage and action—from all of us. See the full interview, proudly sponsored by JEZZINI Property Services.
Check out 2026 NAIDOC events
Download the 2025 Supporting NAIDOC Toolkit
The 2026 Toolkit will be available around May 2026.
Have a look at Educational Resources
Check out all NAIDOC downloads
2026 National NAIDOC Week Poster
The National NAIDOC Poster Competition is an iconic feature of NAIDOC Week, with a rich history dating back to 1967 when the National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee first began producing posters to promote the week’s events and message.
Each year, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists aged 18 years and over are invited to submit original artwork reflecting the annual NAIDOC Week theme. Over the decades, these posters have become powerful visual reflections of culture, identity, and the social changes that have shaped the nation. Many have been exhibited in major cultural institutions, including the National Museum of Australia.
The 2026 National NAIDOC Poster Competition has now closed, and the winning artwork will be announced soon. The official 2026 NAIDOC poster will be added to this page once the winner has been announced.