NAIDOC Week's a time to celebrate the histories, cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It’s held each year during the first week of July and is an important annual event where everyone’s invited to join in the celebrations. 

Each year NAIDOC will choose a theme to build the celebrations around. It's a great opportunity to bring First Nations perspectives into your classroom in a way that’s fun, informative and celebratory.

What does NAIDOC stand for?

NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. To understand what all that means though, we need a little bit of a history lesson. 

In 1955, the Day of Mourning or Aborigines Day was moved from the Sunday before January 26 to the first Sunday in July. It was shifted because people wanted to focus more on celebrating First Nations cultures rather than protesting. The National Aborigines Day Observance Committee was then created in 1956 to organise national events.   

In 1975,  it was decided to celebrate for a whole week — rather than just one day. NAIDOC Week was born! Then in 1991, NAIDOC Week expanded to recognise Torres Strait Islander people and cultures.  

And that's why it’s called NAIDOC Week.

 

NAIDOC Week 2024 Resources

Use these resources to learn about the stories and recognise the achievements of some remarkable First Nations people. What better way to celebrate this year’s NAIDOC Week theme ‘Keep the fire burning! Blak, loud and proud’? These classroom ready fact sheets and student activities, tailored for students F–2, Y3–6 and Y7–10 and aligned to v9.0 of the Australian Curriculum.
NAIDOC CR 5
F-Y10 Gladys Elphick – Champion and change maker

Gladys dedicated much of her life to championing human rights, women’s rights and to working against discrimination of First Nations people. Includes story/fact sheet and student activities. Written by teachers for teachers.

F–Y2

Y3–6

Y7–10

 

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NAIDOC CR 4
F–Y10 Vincent Lingiari – Protector of Gurindji Country

This is the story of Gurindji activist Vincent Lingiari’s untiring stand against injustice, and his efforts to return Gurindji Country to its People. Includes story/fact sheet and student activities, written in collaboration with First Nations academics and cultural advisors.

F–Y2

Y3–6

Y7–10

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NAIDOC CR 2 v2
F–Y10 Eddie Koiki Mabo – Champion of human rights

Students can learn about remarkable change maker, Eddie Mabo, who was unwavering in his effort to have the land rights of Meriam People acknowledged. Includes story/fact sheet and student activities, written by teachers for teachers.

F–Y2

Y3–6 

Y7–10

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NAIDOC CR 3
F–Y10 Kirsten Banks – Scientist of the stars

Learn about dedicated Wiradjuri astronomer and science communicator, Kirsten Banks. Includes story/fact sheet and student activities, written in collaboration with First Nations academics and cultural advisors.

F–Y2

Y3–6

Y7–10

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NAIDOC CR 1.0
F–Y10 Pemulwuy – Hero of resistance

Learn about Pemulwuy, a determined Bidjigal warrior unwilling to let his Country be taken by British colonising forces. Includes story/fact sheet and student activities, written by teachers for teachers.

F–Y2

Y3–6

Y7–10

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Why's NAIDOC Week important?

NAIDOC Week is important as it’s an opportunity for learning, connection and community. 

It gives First Nations people and non-Indigenous people the opportunity to celebrate and connect with community and Country. And it’s a chance for everyone, not just First Nations people, to celebrate all aspects of First Nations histories and cultures.

As well as this, with its origins based in one of the first major civil rights gatherings in the world, NAIDOC Week is an important time to reflect on the challenges faced by First Nations people — to look at how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go.

Why do we celebrate NAIDOC Week?

There are so many reasons why people get involved with NAIDOC Week. It’s a chance to celebrate First Nations Peoples of Australia, a chance to highlight challenges that need addressing, a chance to learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, and a chance to engage with amazing cultures that are thousands of years old.

Past NAIDOC Week resources

NAIDOC Week is a great opportunity to bring First Nations perspectives into your classroom in a way that’s fun, informative and celebratory – but the learning and celebration can happen at any time! Use our diverse range of resources, designed for Foundation to Year 10, to bring First Nations perspectives into the classroom throughout the year.
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NAIDOC Week 2023

Simply watch the Understanding Eldership video with your class and use our engaging guided discussion questions and activities to learn more about why elders should be celebrated this NAIDOC week and beyond.

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CR Y7 10 v2
NAIDOC Week 2022

F–Y10 Heroes of Change activities celebrate the achievements of remarkable First Nations people. These activities bring to life the stories and perspectives of four Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander change makers.

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NAIDOC 2021 CR
NAIDOC Week 2021

Invite your students to 'Heal Country, heal our nation'. This comprehensive resource offers rich primary and secondary activities and respectful ways to celebrate as a school.

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New CRs

More curriculum resources to embed in your teaching.  

  • Search by year level, learning area and topic
  • Written by teachers for teachers
  • Created in collaboration with First Nations cultural advisors and academics 
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