One of the biggest misconceptions about Naidoc Week is that it’s simply a celebration.

While it is a time to celebrate, it grew from an Aboriginal political movement. Its origins lie in the 1938 Day of Mourning, when Aboriginal leaders gathered on 26 January to protest against 150 years of colonisation and draw national attention to discrimination, dispossession and the denial of basic human and civil rights.

The Day of Mourning was one of Australia’s first major civil rights protests. It challenged the triumphant national story being told about colonisation and instead demanded citizenship and justice for Aboriginal people.

That spirit of resistance and collective action continues to define Naidoc today. While the week has evolved into a national celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and achievements, its foundations remain firmly rooted in the pursuit of justice, equality and self-determination.

An expanding celebration

Over the decades, what began as a single day of protest grew into one of Australia’s most significant national observances. Aboriginal organisations continued to push for recognition, rights and justice, ensuring the movement did not lose momentum.

In the 1950s, the annual Day of Observance was moved from January to July to distinguish it from Australia Day and encourage broader community participation. Moving the observance away from Australia Day also allowed Aboriginal communities to commemorate the occasion on their own terms, rather than alongside........

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