NAIDOC Week 2025 marks a powerful milestone: 50 years of honouring and elevating Indigenous voices, culture and resilience.
The theme for this year’s celebrations, which run from July 6 to July 13, is ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy’.
It celebrates the achievements of the past and the bright future ahead, empowered by the strength of young leaders, the vision of communities and the legacy of ancestors.
The National Aboriginal and Islanders Day Observance Committee — NAIDOC as it is simply known now as — journey started as a movement for recognition and rights, sparked by Indigenous communities who saw a future built on justice and equality.
Since then, it has grown into a powerful national celebration, a testament to the enduring strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
It honours leaders like William Cooper, a Yorta Yorta man who led the 1938 Day of Mourning protest, laying the groundwork for the movement.
Events will be held across the region, bringing communities together to reflect, celebrate and look to the future.
As part of celebrations, Njernda is hosting a morning tea on Monday, July 7.
The morning will include a smoking ceremony, Welcome to Country and people will hear from guest speakers while enjoying morning tea.
NAIDOC art exhibition 2025, Our Women Our Strength, opened at the Foundry Arts Space on Friday, July 4, running through until August 3.
The exhibition is a chance to celebrate our past, present and future through the strength of our women artists.
This powerful exhibition honours our women from many clan groups and Nations; women who carry ancient traditions forward through their craft, and boldly express contemporary culture using fibres, feathers, fabric and fur.
The Foundry Arts Space is at 13-17 Murray Esplanade, Echuca.