NAIDOC Week

NAIDOC Week celebrations are held annually in July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

In 2009 NAIDOC Week celebrations were held from Sunday 5 July to Sunday 12 July and the theme was "Honouring our Elders, Nurturing our Youth".

• 2009 NAIDOC Week events calendar
  See what's planned for NAIDOC Week around Queensland.
• Plan your own NAIDOC Week activity
  Ideas to get you started on planning a NAIDOC Week event for your community.
• 2009 NAIDOC artwork
  Foundations, designed by Cairns-based ingeous studios, is the Department of Communities' official artwork for 2009 NAIDOC Week materials.
• Previous NAIDOC Week celebrations
  Take a look at some of the activities that were held during NAIDOC Week 2008.
• Activity sheets
  Activity sheets for individuals, groups and organisations are available.

NAIDOC has its origins in the fight for Aboriginal rights that gathered pace in the 1920s and 1930s. Back then, organisations such as the Australian Aborigines Progress Association, the Australian Aborigines League and the Aborigines Progressive Association were established. These groups drew attention to the living conditions suffered by Aboriginal people and their lack of citizenship rights.

NAIDOC originally stood for 'National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee'. The committee was responsible for organising national activities during NAIDOC Week and its acronym has become the name of the week itself.

Now NAIDOC Week is celebrated in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, government agencies, schools, local councils and workplaces across Australia.

Last reviewed: 07 August 2009

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