NAIDOC Week 2025

NAIDOC week is almost here! 

Held 6-13 July, NAIDOC Week invites all Australians to reflect, celebrate, and recognise the rich histories, cultures, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This year’s theme, “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy” celebrates the voices of young First Nations people, while paying tribute to the Elders whose leadership continues to guide future generations.

It’s a powerful reminder that cultural knowledge, resilience, and community are carried forward by the next generation and that we all have a role to play in supporting this legacy.

A Look Back: The History of NAIDOC

The history of NAIDOC week dates back to 1920 when Aboriginal groups boycotted Australia day to protest the status and treatment of Aboriginals. You can learn more about this history, from the 1st protests, through to the Day of Mourning, formation of the National Aborigines Day observance Committee (NADOC), and expansion to include Torres Strait Islander people and culture (NAIDOC) on the NAIDOC history webpage.

Want to know more about the National NAIDOC Committee, who make key decisions about the activities, dates, themes, focus city, and awards? Visit the NAIDOC Committee page where you can read an overview and, by clicking on the Committee Member photos, you can learn more about them and what NAIDOC means to them.

Also available on the NAIDOC Week website are a listing of events (including virtual events), teaching guides, awards, resources, News and FAQs.

NAIDOC Week in the School Library

School libraries are uniquely placed to lead meaningful NAIDOC Week engagement. Whether it’s through displays, curated reading lists, or digital resources, libraries offer students opportunities to explore Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in thoughtful, age-appropriate ways.

With Oliver and LearnPath, you can:

• Create a themed reading list to highlight books by and about First Nations peoples.
• Promote awareness with our downloadable NAIDOC Week Oliver News Page here 
• Build a LearnPath guide with videos, maps, articles, and links to events or student activities

Further resources to support teaching about NAIDOC Week

Looking for high-quality resources to support teaching and learning during NAIDOC Week? These organisations offer fantastic, classroom-ready materials:

SBS Learn – Teacher Resource Pack

SBS has produced a fantastic Teachers Resource for NAIDOC Day. In this resource you will find:

• Discussion questions;
• NAIDOC-themed activities;
• Plentiful resource links and suggestions;
• Clips for classroom viewing;
• Quality, robust structures for exploring Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander perspectives year-round.

First Languages Australia – Gambay Map

Great for NAIDOC Day, or any day of the year, First Languages Australia has developed “Gambay", an interactive map, that showcases over 780 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages. Gambay shows where specific languages were spoken, and in some cases provides soundbites of people speaking a particular language.

Australians Together – Curriculum Resources (Years 1–10)

Australians Together has produced some NAIDOC Week curriculum resources. Tailored for Years 1–10, these resources support teachers in embedding Indigenous perspectives and histories into their everyday classroom teaching.

Further Reading

If you’re looking to support engagement, inclusion, and student wellbeing in your library beyond NAIDOC Week, here are a few articles you might enjoy:

• The Benefits Of Reading In Supporting Students’ Mental Health written by Suzanne Livett
• How can school libraries improve students’ emotional health or wellbeing?

Editors note: This blog was originally published in October 2020, updated in July 2025 to reflect the latest NAIDOC Week theme, resources, and opportunities for school libraries.