History of NAIDOC: 50 Years of Advocacy, Culture & Change

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that the following post contains mentions of deceased persons.

The History of NAIDOC is a story of resilience, advocacy, and celebration. What began as a movement for Indigenous rights in the early 20th century has evolved into a nationally recognised week - honouring the Culture, achievements, and ongoing struggles of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

From the Day of Mourning in 1938 to the establishment of NAIDOC Week as we know it today, this journey reflects decades of activism, unity, and progress.

Note: We respectfully acknowledge the now defunct and inaccurate term ‘Aborigines’ whilst retaining it for historic use only. As of 1967, the ongoing registered title of the Committee became the National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee. 

Starting back half a century, let's take a look at some of the historic events that have shaped NAIDOC today. 

Before the 1920s, Aboriginal rights groups in Australia used ‘Australia Day’ (26 January) to stage protests, highlighting the injustices faced by Indigenous Australians. These efforts often went unnoticed by the broader public, prompting activists to adopt more organised and visible approaches.

Groups like the Australian Aborigines Progressive Association (AAPA), established in 1924, and the Australian Aborigines League (AAL), founded in 1932, emerged to advocate for justice and equality. However, they faced significant challenges, including police harassment, which forced the AAPA to disband in 1927, underscoring the uphill battle faced by these early advocates.

Founder of AAL, Yorta Yorta Elder William Cooper petitioned to the British monarch George V for Aboriginal representation in federal parliament. 

On 26th January, 150 years after the British first arrived in Australia, over 1000 people gathered to march through Sydney. It became one of the first major civil rights gatherings in the world. This day later became known as the Day of Mourning. 

During these years, the Day of Mourning was held every Sunday before Australia Day, and known as Aborigines Day. People started to see it also as a celebration of Culture as well as a day of protest. In 1955, this day was moved to the first Sunday in July. 

Major organisations including Aboriginal corporations, state and federal governments, and churches supported the formation of the National Aborigines Day Observance Committee (NADOC). During this period, people began to recognise the second Sunday in July as a day to remember and honour Aboriginal people and their heritage. 

On the 27th May, more than 90% of Australians voted ‘Yes’ in the 1967 referendum to count Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples in the census and give the Australian government the powers to make laws for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

The Aboriginal flag was designed by Elder Harold Thomas.

The first national theme was adopted along with the first poster created by the committee to promote the event and bring more recognition. The Department for Aboriginal Affairs was formed, following the outcome of the 1967 referendum.

This was the first year that the committee was formed with a board of entirely Aboriginal members. 

It was decided to join the events in July and turn the recognition into a week-long festival from the first to the second Sunday in July.

NADOC requested that National Aborigines Day be made a national public holiday. This request, although repeated by many other groups and organisations, has not yet been met. 

Awards for Aboriginal of the Year and for Aboriginal young people aged 12 to 25 were introduced - which has evolved over the years to become the annual NAIDOC awards. 

The 90s introduced the poster competition.

NADOC changed its name to NAIDOC - National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee - to recognise Torres Strait Islander people and Culture. 

The Torres Strait Islander flag was designed by the late Bernard Namok. 

On 13th February the Australian Parliament formally apologised to the Stolen Generations – those Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed from their family and their communities through the actions of past governments. 

This information and more can be found on the NAIDOC website. Learn more about the history of NAIDOC week, themes and the committee here.