NAIDOC Week 2016

NAIDOC Week, held in the first full week of July, is a time to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements and is an opportunity to recognise the contributions that Indigenous Australians make to our country and our society.

NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. Its origins can be traced to the emergence of Aboriginal groups in the 1920s which sought to increase awareness in the wider community of the status and treatment of Indigenous Australians. For more information on NAIDOC visit the NAIDOC Week website.

Celebrated by Australians from all walks of life, NAIDOC hosts a number of events during the week, in support of the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. To get involved view the national events calendar on the NAIDOC Week website​ and join in the celebration.

2016 NAIDOC Theme

The theme for NAIDOC Week 2016 is ‘Songlines: The living narrative of our nation’. Through Songlines, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been able to preserve and share sacred stories and ceremonies for tens of thousands of years.

Songlines are recorded in traditional songs, stories, dance and art. They carry significant spiritual and cultural connection to knowledge, customs, ceremony and lore of many Aboriginal nations and Torres Strait Islander language groups.

To find out more about the origins and history of NAIDOC Week or for more information on organising a NAIDOC event in your area please visit the NAIDOC Week website.