In 2022, our team at MagicLands had the privilege of joining the festivities of NAIDOC Week at the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative in Geelong. Each year, from the first Sunday to Sunday in July, Australia hosts national celebrations to honour and acknowledge the history, culture, and accomplishments of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The acronym NAIDOC represents the National Aboriginals and Islanders Day Observance Committee, previously known as the National Aborigines Day Observance Committee (NADOC). The roots of NAIDOC Week trace back to the 1938 Day of Mourning, evolving into a week-long event in 1975.

The concept behind NAIDOC originated from a letter penned by William Cooper, directed towards Aboriginal communities and churches. Cooper composed this letter on behalf of the Australian Aborigines Progressive Association, a coalition encompassing various movements advocating for Aboriginal rights. Notable Indigenous leaders such as Douglas Nicholls, William Ferguson, Jack Patten, and Margaret Tucker were instrumental in the association. Their preparations for the renowned Day of Mourning in 1938 sparked a powerful and impactful protest and paved the way for a national observance initially championed by churches. This observance eventually transformed into a nationwide celebration. The AAPA's Day of Mourning before Australia Day 1938 in Sydney, which included around 100 Aboriginal participants, significantly influenced the national discourse and resulted in an invitation for Indigenous leaders to meet with Prime Minister Joseph Lyons. The message also resonated within churches, with some already observing the day as early as January 1940, and by 1946 at the latest, it had gained national recognition.

By 1957, leaders of the movement decided to shift the commemoration date from January to July. This led to the establishment of the National Aborigines Day Observance Committee (NADOC), with the first Sunday in July designated as a day to remember and celebrate Aboriginal people and their heritage.

In 1984, NADOC requested that National Aborigines Day be recognised as a national public holiday to honour and appreciate the rich cultural history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia. Currently, NAIDOC Week does not have a designated national public holiday, but there have been calls to establish one to enhance awareness and celebration of the culture and achievements of Indigenous Australians. In 1991, NADOC transformed into NAIDOC (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) to acknowledge the inclusion of Torres Strait Islanders and to represent an entire week of recognition rather than just a single day.

NAIDOC Week presents a unique opportunity for all Australians to delve into the depths of First Nations cultures and histories and actively engage in celebrations honouring the world's oldest, continuous living cultures. It is a week when Australia collectively celebrates the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their cultures, and their communities while acknowledging their invaluable contributions to our nation. Various walks of life get out into communities during NAIDOC week to support community events, celebrate culture and build valuable relationships.