NAIDOC Week 2025
The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy
NAIDOC Week is a soul-deep celebration for Mob—a time to feast on the joy and pride of culture, and connect with community. Even in years marked by hardship and upheaval, it has always been a powerful reminder of survival, resilience, and the ongoing achievements of First Nations Peoples. In 2025, NAIDOC Week runs from the 6th - 13th July.
Born out of protest and shaped by defiant hope, NAIDOC week continues to be a space for truth-telling, and the proclamation that First Nations peoples are not only surviving, but they are leading, creating, and dreaming of a future where their people flourish.
NAIDOC Week marks its 50th anniversary this year.
As we celebrate this milestone, we are reminded of a sacred rhythm woven into the Scriptures — the 50th year, or the Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25). Jubilee was a profound moment of restoration and celebration. Every fifty years, land was returned, debts were cancelled, enslaved people were set free, and the community paused to reflect and rejoice in God’s provision. It was a radical rebalancing — a reset that ensured communities functioned together, and none lived with excess while others were in need. Jubilee offered a vision of justice and flourishing to all people, as God intended.
“The themes of NAIDOC week always combine a looking-back, a looking-forward, and they give us medicine for the present’ - Safina Stewart
This year’s theme of The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy invites us to reflect on the legacy of those who came before, to champion the strength of emerging young leaders, and to look to the future with active hope.
“The Elders have kept our cultures alive…they have paved the way for us with strength and vision… they have left a great legacy. Our next generations value their depth of wisdom. With the Elders’ encouragement and inspiration, it is so exciting to see the next generation stepping into their roles with strength and vision to build upon such legacy.” - Safina Stewart
The realities for the next generation are sobering. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are 27 times more likely to be incarcerated than their non-Indigenous peers. First Nations youth are more likely to experience poorer health outcomes and face barriers to education.
“Our kids are being locked up at unprecedented rates! What is going to happen to the next generation? We want instead for them to be strong in who they are, their truth, their cultural identity, knowing how precious and remarkable they are. We want them to aim high and have the support they need to reach their vision.” - Safina Stewart
The next generation is strong. They are activists, artists, leaders and visionaries. They carry the stories of their culture and their Ancestors. And they have inherited a legacy of resilience and hope.
Reflecting on this year, the NAIDOC Week Committee shares that they are taking “an important step toward independence, embracing self-determination as a model for the next generation. With every story shared, every act of resilience remembered, and every cultural practice celebrated, we honour a legacy that reaches far into the past and extends into the future. As we celebrate this milestone, we look toward the next 50 years with excitement and confidence, while everyday ensuring that NAIDOC remains a movement grounded in community-led vision and integrity.”
As a movement, Common Grace will continue to be led by the perspectives of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian leaders, including those of the next generation. And in this symbolic Jubilee year of NAIDOC, we recommit to acting in ways that move our nation towards justice, equity, and flourishing to all First Nations Peoples.
For non-Indigenous Australians, NAIDOC Week 2025 graciously and generously invites you into deeper partnership, deeper listening, and deeper celebration.
This year, may we honour the legacy of those who have gone before, invest in the vision of the young leaders rising now, and draw strength from the God who walks with us towards a future of safe, free, flourishing communities.
May this 50th year of NAIDOC carry the spirit of Jubilee in our churches: a call to repair what has been broken, hand back what has been taken, and rejoice in the steadfast courage, resilience, love and generosity of First Nations peoples.
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This NAIDOC Week join us in this important opportunity to engage and celebrate with your local community, connect with your local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and reflect on the role non-Indigenous community have to stand in solidarity with our First Nations brothers and sisters - resourcing, equipping and creating space to encourage the next generation.
Explore ideas and ways you can engage and take action with your communities below.
Sign up for our special three-part NAIDOC Week Podcast series!
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Support and attend NAIDOC Week events in your local area.
A list of NAIDOC Week events in every capital city is available here - we will continue updating this list in the lead up to NAIDOC Week celebrations. You can also search a list of NAIDOC Week community events in other locations on the NAIDOC Week website here.
Join us in prayer for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander justice this NAIDOC Week.
For NAIDOC Week 2025 Mikenzie Ling, Wiradjuri woman and First Peoples Engagement and Strategy Consultant with the Uniting Church Synod of NSW & ACT, has written heartfelt prayer for the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people. This prayer reflects the deep echoes of prayers of our Elders, and current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian community, for children and young people who are being raised up now and into the future. Find Mikenzie's Prayer for our Next Generation here.
Explore further prayer resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Justice here.
Take this opportunity to learn about Aboriginal Christian Leaders of the past - leaders that continue to inspire us and make us proud!
We shared about these amazing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian Leaders of the past as part of our 2022 NAIDOC Week celebrations.
Explore how your church and faith community can share an Acknowledgement of Country in your service or events.
Acknowledgement of Country is a respectful and honouring practice that acknowledges the Aboriginal peoples who were placed by God as Traditional Custodians on the lands you are on.
Explore Common Grace's Acknowledgement of Country guidelines and examples
Can you join us in helping pursue justice, healing, and flourishing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples?
Give to Common Grace’s Reconciliation Appeal to help empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian Leaders to lead our movement and equip followers of Jesus to listen deeply, advocate for truth-telling and justice, and promote flourishing for all First Nations peoples.
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What are your next steps in our ongoing journey of walking together in friendship towards healing and justice for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander brothers and sisters?
Take Action for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander justice by joining us at Common Grace's 'Let Justice Flow' Conference, being held on Ngunnawal & Ngambri Country, in Canberra 1-3 November, 2025.
This Conference is a unique opportunity to come together with Christians from across denominations and backgrounds, and delve into crucial matters concerning First Nations and climate justice. During this conference there will be opportunities to deeply listen to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian Leaders and gain insights and tools necessary to engage with our nation's political leaders, advocating for tangible actions to see justice flow across Australia and beyond.
Find out more and book your Early Bird Ticket today
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We would love to hear how you celebrate NAIDOC Week 2025. Share your reflections and stories with us at [email protected] or tag us social media @commongraceaus
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The beautiful artwork used for our 2025 NAIDOC Week graphics were designed by Artist Safina Stewart, proud Wuthithi and Mabuiag Island woman.
Find out more about the history of NAIDOC Week and explore how Common Grace has engaged in previous years here.