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This year marks a significant milestone as NAIDOC Week celebrates 50 Years of Deadly.
For five decades, NAIDOC Week has celebrated the voices, cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Across those 50 years, NAIDOC themes have called for truth, celebrated culture, honoured resistance and recognised the enduring strength, leadership and contributions of First Nations communities.
NAIDOC Week runs from 5 to 12 July. The 2026 theme, 50 Years of Deadly, acknowledges the Elders, community leaders, organisers, artists and advocates who have shaped and strengthened the NAIDOC movement over the past five decades. It is a celebration of culture, resilience and self-determination, and a recognition of the many generations who have contributed to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, cultures and futures.
50 Years of Deadly celebrates the strength of communities grounded in culture and identity, and the leadership of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across all areas of Australian life. It also looks to the future, highlighting the next generation, the revitalisation of language, ongoing connection to Country, and the continuing pursuit of justice, equity and recognition.
The 2026 NAIDOC Poster: Paralpi
The official poster for National NAIDOC Week 2026 is Paralpi, created by proud Yankunytjatjara man and acclaimed artist and musician Zaachariaha Fielding.
Selected from submissions from across Australia, Paralpi reflects movement, energy and continuity, carrying the stories of Ancestors forward while celebrating the creativity and cultural strength of future generations. Rich in colour and symbolism, the artwork speaks to the enduring strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples over the past 50 years of NAIDOC and beyond.
Fielding is known internationally through the award-winning music duo Electric Fields. His work brings together language, music, visual storytelling and culture in powerful contemporary forms. Through Paralpi, he honours the resilience of community, the importance of language and identity, and the ongoing cultural renaissance being led by First Nations peoples across the country.
The Library's commitment
At UOW Library, NAIDOC Week provides an opportunity to reflect on the importance of truth-telling, cultural safety, inclusion and the ongoing work of reconciliation. We acknowledge the rich histories, cultures, knowledges and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and recognise the important role libraries play in supporting learning, understanding and respectful engagement.
CC licence for image: National NAIDOC logo is provided under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-N4 4.0)