National NAIDOC Week 2026

What is National NAIDOC Week?

National NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Every year, events are held in the first week of July (Sunday to Sunday) to celebrate Australia’s First Nations peoples, their stories and their futures. In 2026, National NAIDOC Week is celebrated from 5 to 12 July.

About the theme for 2026

The theme for 2026 is ‘50 Years of Deadly’. This pays tribute to the people who built NAIDOC into what it is today — a celebration of the past and present, but also a call to keep fighting for justice.

“Fifty Years of Deadly is a marker, not just of time passed, but of the momentum still building,” explains the NAIDOC Week website. “It’s a tribute to the people who built this movement. The Elders who stood firm, the organisers who made space, the artists who turned resistance into expression, and the communities who keep showing up, year after year ... And it’s about the future. The next 50 years. The young ones growing up proud.”

Acknowledgement of Country

The Salvation Army acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Owners of the lands and waterways of Australia that we now share. We acknowledge their unique cultural and spiritual connections to the lands and waters, honouring their wisdom, strength and resilience as the world's oldest living cultures. We pay respects to the Elders who play a vital role in fostering a fair and just society for all Australians. The Salvation Army has called Australia home for over 144 years. We acknowledge that parts of our history have contributed to the profound grief and loss experienced by First Nations peoples. We are committed to working alongside First Nations peoples to pursue justice, reconciliation and mutual flourishing. We commit ourselves in prayer and practice to the lands of Australia and its peoples, seeking reconciliation, unity and equity.

How can Australians celebrate National NAIDOC Week?

National NAIDOC Week activities are held across Australia to acknowledge and appreciate the histories and cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Here are some ways you can celebrate:

• Visit local services and churches, including Salvation Army centres, celebrating National NAIDOC Week
• Display the National NAIDOC Week poster in your church, workplace or classroom (a poster competition is a traditional component of National NAIDOC Week, encouraging young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to enter)
• Invite local Elders to share at your church, school or workplace
• Learn about the Traditional Custodians of your local area and their history and culture
• Read a book, watch a show or movie, or listen to a podcast or music made by First Nations creators, artists and authors
• Watch the National NAIDOC Week Awards with your family and friends, celebrating “the outstanding contributions and excellence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across 10 award categories, including art, culture, education and training, sport, environment and leadership”
• Pray for reconciliation
• Find out about local NAIDOC community events and join in the celebrations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures

The Salvation Army programs and partnerships

The Salvation Army’s programs and partnerships identify and encourage community leaders, and work towards reconciliation and greater equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Our programs include early intervention, youth justice, housing, sports and many more.

Learn more by visiting The Salvation Army’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs page.