Celebrating First Nations Culture At A Landmark Naidoc Week

For fifty years First Nations people have gathered, celebrated and stood proud. This NAIDOC Week – all of Victoria joins them. Minister for First Peoples Ros Spence will attend the NAIDOC State Reception at Arts Centre Melbourne on Wednesday 8 July.

The event honours the NAIDOC Award winners as part of a landmark year of celebration across the state. NAIDOC Week 2026 marks a landmark milestone – fifty years of one of Australia's most powerful celebrations of First Nations history, culture and achievement. This year's theme, '50 Years of Deadly,' honours five decades of advocacy, resilience and unbreakable community spirit.

This year is unlike any other. In November 2025, Victoria signed a Statewide Treaty with First Peoples – a historic first that ensures First Nations people have a real say over the decisions that shape their lives. Celebrating NAIDOC Week in the wake of Treaty makes 2026 a momentous occasion.

Treaty is about building a better and fairer Victoria for everyone. NAIDOC Week is a reminder of why that work matters and runs from Sunday 5 July to Sunday 12 July. The NAIDOC Committee's Flag Raising Ceremony at Federation Square on Monday 6 July will kick off a week of celebration across the state.

The NAIDOC State Reception on Wednesday 8 July will celebrate First Nations achievement across seven categories: Youth, Ms NAIDOC, Mr NAIDOC, Female Elder of the Year, Male Elder of the Year, Sportsperson and Pride. The week culminates in the Victorian NAIDOC Ball on Saturday 11 July at Centrepiece – a joyful celebration of community, culture and fifty years of deadly achievement.

For more information visit firstpeoplesrelations.vic.gov.au/victorian-naidoc-week Quotes attributable to Minister for First Peoples Ros Spence "Fifty years of Deadly reflects fifty years of First Nations people refusing to be silent – and Victoria is a better state because of it." "Celebrating NAIDOC Week in the year of Treaty is something truly special. First Peoples now have a real say over the decisions that affect their lives – and that is something every Victorian should be proud of." 260706 - Celebrating First Nations Culture At A Landmark Naidoc Week.pdf PDF 351.89 KB (opens in a new window)