NAIDOC Week, held from Sunday 5 July to Sunday 12 July, is an important time to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This week matters because it supports respect, inclusion and cultural understanding across education settings – helping create safe, high-quality learning environments for all children and young people.

We know educators are already doing important work in this space. NAIDOC Week provides an opportunity to build on this work, engage learners, and strengthen connections with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. 

What this year’s theme means

The 2026 theme, “50 Years of Deadly”, marks a significant milestone.  

It recognises the 

• elders who have guided communities with strength and wisdom
• organisers who created space for change
• artists who expressed culture and resistance, and
• communities who continue to lead and show up year after year.

It also looks ahead to the next generation, who will continue this work with courage, insight and respect for culture.

This milestone invites reflection on

• stories and movements that have shaped change
• language, art and cultural identity, and
• leadership across communities and sectors.

At the same time, it celebrates who we are today — strong in culture, proud in identity and leading across fields from health and education to media, business and the arts, with stories told on our own terms.

Why this matters for education

Creating culturally safe and inclusive environments supports

• better outcomes for learners
• stronger relationships with communities, and
• trust and professionalism across education settings.

Reconciliation is part of this work. It helps ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices are not only heard but respected and valued in learning environments.

Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners

Supporting diverse learners can be complex. You may not always know which students in your classroom identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, as this is a personal decision. For this reason, it is important to

• plan for inclusion in every teaching context
• use approaches that support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners, and
• reflect on your practice and adjust where needed to support equitable access to learning.

Professional learning undertaken for teaching Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners should meet descriptors 1.4 and 2.4 of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (APST). Depending on the focus, professional learning may also address other APST descriptors.

What you can do during NAIDOC Week

You can use this week to

• involve learners in culturally respectful activities
• connect with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
• reflect on your teaching practice, and
• build knowledge and confidence through professional learning.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to creating inclusive, respectful learning environments for Victorian learners.