NAIDOC Week (National Aboriginal and Islanders Day Observance Committee) occurs annually in July and celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians all over the country and overseas.

Each year the National NAIDOC Committee chooses a theme. In 2025 it was The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy, honouring the role of young people in carrying forward the strength and vision of First Nations communities, while acknowledging the legacy of those who have come before.
At DFAT, NAIDOC Week 2025 was marked with a series of events on Ngunnawal Country in Canberra:

• The week opened with a Smoking Ceremony led by Ngunnawal Elder Uncle Warren Daley, followed by a NAIDOC Week breakfast hosted by First Nations Ambassador Justin Mohamed, welcoming members of the diplomatic corps.
• DFAT was honoured to host a performance by Carly Sheppard, a Wallangamma and Takalaka Woman and cross-disciplinary artist trained at NAISDA Dance College and the Victorian College of the Arts, at the Secretary's Reception.
• Karen Mundine, CEO of Reconciliation Australia shared insights on reconciliation and leadership as part of the First Nations Speaker Series.
• A Weaving Workshop was held to celebrate cultural knowledge-sharing and connection.

These activities showcased the richness of First Nations cultures and provided opportunities to engage DFAT partners and staff to learn, reflect and celebrate together.