NAIDOC Week marks a powerful milestone: 50 years of honouring and elevating Indigenous voices, culture, and resilience. The 2025 theme, “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy,” celebrates not only the achievements of the past but the bright future ahead, empowered by the strength of our young leaders, the vision of our communities, and the legacy of our ancestors.
Caring for Sea Country
Learn about Aboriginal scientists, artists and communities who use cultural knowledge to manage Sea Country and improve ocean environments across Australia. Celebrate this years’ NAIDOC Week theme, “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy” as we explore examples of First Nations people leading responsible coastal management.
From the Indigenous Ranger Program to restoration of oyster reefs, these stories will leave you inspired to help care for Sea Country too!
Join the Australian National Maritime Museum Monday 23 June, 2-3pm AEST
The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy
Shelley Ware and a National Portrait Gallery educator guide students through a 45-minute online interactive session, celebrating this year’s NAIDOC theme The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy. During the session, Ware shares her curated portrait selections, weaving in stories and activities that highlight the achievements and resilience of First Nations people. Students will engage with the portraits and participate in discussions and activities to deepen their understanding of First Nations culture and history, inspired by Ware’s insights and experiences.
Visual Arts & First Nations
NAIDOC Week with Aunty Fay and Sue Lawson
Celebrate NAIDOC Week with the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House by joining Boon Wurrung and Wamba Wamba Elder Aunty Fay Muir, and Sue Lawson, as they read from their latest collaboration, Always Was, Always Will Be, in this special digital event for students.
During the session students will hear a selection of stories from the book, consider why these pieces of history are so important, and gain insight into Sue and Aunty Fay’s writing process. Always Was, Always Will Be takes a closer look at some of the iconic First Peoples protest movements of the last 200 years, celebrating the strength, wisdom, and bravery of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people defending their land and asserting their right to self-determination through history.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures and Histories
NAIDOC Week with Jade Goodwin
In celebration of NAIDOC Week, join illustrator Jade Goodwin as she reads her new picture book, Earthspeak: Boodjar Wangkiny, in a special digital event for students. Students will also participate in a live drawing session and have the chance to ask Jade about being a published illustrator.
Earthspeak is a joyful story celebrating the natural world, the sharing of culture through Noongar language and the awe that comes from seeing, hearing and feeling how elemental forces shape the earth.
Papa says we’re going to a special place today.
‘If we djinang (look), ni (listen), goordoo (feel), we might hear boodjar wangkiny (earth speak). We might even feel her heartbeat.’
I wonder what that will sound like? Will the earth’s heart beat just like ours?
A bush walk in a stunning landscape becomes a heartfelt invitation for children to engage with their senses, care for the environment, and learn some Noongar language words along the way.
10am – 10:45am on Wednesday 23 July
