NAIDOC Week 2025: learning from communities
NAIDOC turns 50 this year and it’s all about the next generation.
It’s about the young mob stepping up, speaking out, and keeping culture strong for the future.
The 2025 NAIDOC theme, “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy,” comes to life through so many of the community partnerships we’re proud to support.
But before we look at how some of these communities are supporting the next generation, it’s important to acknowledge the past to understand where we are today.
The history of NAIDOC week
NAIDOC Week began with the efforts of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander activists who wanted to raise awareness about their rights and the injustices they faced.
In the 1920s and 1930s, leaders like William Cooper and others began pushing for a national day to recognise Aboriginal people. Their efforts led to the Day of Mourning in 1938, held on Australia Day to protest the treatment of First Nations’ peoples. Over the years, this movement has grown and changed.
Eventually, it expanded into a full week of celebration called NAIDOC Week, which now honours the history, cultures, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across Australia. For a more detailed history, you can visit the official NAIDOC website here.
As our CEO Stephanie Harvey shares:
“ What began 50 years ago as a movement for recognition and rights has become an increasingly vocal and visible call to action to end injustice and inequality and an opportunity to celebrate our cultures and our peoples.”
What does NAIDOC mean today?
Today, NAIDOC continues to be a time for truth-telling, but also a celebration of culture, achievements, and strength.
For a long time, our stories, struggles, and voices were ignored or left out of history. This includes things like land being taken, families being broken apart, and people being treated unfairly under the law and in society.
When we face the truth about the past, it helps us see why things are the way they are today, including why First Nations people still experience disadvantage and inequality. Acknowledging the past isn’t to blame. It’s about truth-telling, respect, and healing.
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, NAIDOC Week is an opportunity to show pride in who we are (to show it loudly and proudly), to honour Elders and Ancestors, and keep cultures alive through storytelling, art, music, and dance. And to share these with wider Australia.
Community First Development, NAIDOC and self-determination
We’re privileged to work with self-determined communities who are doing just that – keeping cultures alive. And communities who are empowering their young people with pride in identity and leadership skills so they can speak up, step forward, and carry culture into the future.
We continue to learn from our community partners.
We learn that culture is not just heritage, it’s strength.
We learn that identity and belonging builds confidence, resilience, and hope.
We learn that leadership isn’t about titles. It’s about serving people, protecting Country and culture, and guiding the next generations.
And most of all, we learn that First Nations communities are not defined by disadvantage. We are defined by pride in identity and the determination to build a stronger future for the next generations.
“I carry fears and hopes about our futures. I fear that the incremental changes wrought to date are not enough to equitably and justly sustain our peoples, our cultures and Countries. And yet I see the emerging leadership of our young people and I am filled with great hope. They are deadly. Switched on, whip smart, motivated and committed. They are engaged across Australia and globally. I see the solidarity building between young people, all young people not just mob, who are ready to change their worlds. They are building on the legacies of Elders and Ancestors and have a strong vision for the future. I see that big change is inevitable. How exciting this is!”
NAIDOC Week reminds us that culture is not just something to preserve, it is a continuous source of strength, particularly for our younger generations. From the Tiwi Islands to Wagga Wagga and Bundjalung Country, we see our community partners leading change and inspiring the next generation.
A glimpse into some of our community partnerships that are directly supporting young people:
Jipungwayi
Jipungwayi, meaning "The Fire in Me," is a grassroots initiative founded by Michael "Mikey," a proud Tiwi, Iwaidja, and Luritja man. After returning to the Tiwi Islands, Mikey was inspired to create a program that addresses the challenges faced by local youth, including intergenerational trauma and cultural disconnection. Jipungwayi offers a safe space where young people can reconnect with their culture, engage in wellbeing activities, and develop leadership skills. With support from Community First Development, Mikey has established a solid foundation for Jipungwayi, including strategic planning and a digital presence, to expand its impact across the Tiwi Islands. Read more.
Hoops 4 Health
Hoops 4 Health, founded in 2001 by former National Basketball League player Timmy Duggan, is a First Nations-led initiative that leverages basketball to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth in the Northern Territory. The program operates in youth justice centres and remote communities, integrating physical activity with mental health exercises to build resilience and personal confidence. Through its 'calmness on the court' approach, Hoops 4 Health encourages young people to take control of their decision-making, starting with interactions on the basketball court. Post-game reflections, including mental imagery, yarning, and calmness circles, further support individual and team development. Community First Development is collaborating with Hoops 4 Health to explore funding opportunities for growth, celebrating the success of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through this impactful program. Read more.
Visual Dreaming
Visual Dreaming is an Aboriginal-owned social enterprise based in Wagga Wagga, NSW, on Wiradjuri Country. Founded and directed by Leanne, with youth advisor and project manager Shanae, the organisation focuses on enhancing the cultural identity, mental health, and leadership capabilities of Aboriginal youth. Through a blend of technology and traditional cultural practices, Visual Dreaming connects young people with their heritage and community. One notable initiative is the Butterfly Dreaming program, designed to help young girls discover and understand their identity, build confidence, and develop leadership skills. Community First Development collaborated with Visual Dreaming to support these projects, contributing to broader community goals. Read more.
This NAIDOC Week, we celebrate the next generation, keeping them strong in culture, proud in identity, and ready to step up.
Happy NAIDOC Week!