NAIDOC Week is a national celebration, a time to recognise and celebrate the histories, cultures, achievements and ongoing leadership of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
In 2026, the theme is “50 Years of Deadly“, recognising five decades of celebrating the strength, resilience and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
The origins of NAIDOC Week reach back much further.
On 26 January 1938, while many Australians marked the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet, more than 1,000 Aboriginal people gathered in Sydney for what became known as the Day of Mourning. They called for citizenship rights, equality and laws to improve the lives of Aboriginal people. It is recognised as one of the world’s earliest civil rights gatherings.
Nearly 90 years later, those calls still have something to teach us.
At Health Consumers’ Council WA, we believe better healthcare starts by listening.
Listening helps people feel respected.
Listening builds trust.
Listening helps people participate in decisions about their care.
Listening creates safer, fairer and more person-centred healthcare.
Throughout NAIDOC Week we are sharing resources that highlight what Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consumers have told us about healthcare and how those insights can improve care for everyone.
Explore our NAIDOC Week resources
What Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consumers say makes GP care culturally safe
Hear directly from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consumers about the relationships, communication and behaviours that help people feel safe, respected and heard.
Aboriginal Patient Advocacy Training
Support better health outcomes for Aboriginal patients by building your confidence in culturally safe care and practical advocacy. This full-day workshop at HCCWA HQ will help healthcare professionals and people working with Aboriginal communities better understand health rights, the impacts of racism in healthcare, advocacy skills, referral pathways, and culturally safe practice.
If you work alongside Aboriginal people, this training will give you practical knowledge you can apply immediately.
Acknowledging Country Workshop
Learn about the purpose, meaning and respectful practice of Acknowledging Country, and why it matters in health and community settings.
More Aboriginal health resources
Browse HCCWA’s growing collection of Aboriginal health resources, events and opportunities to learn.
Listening should not end with NAIDOC Week
NAIDOC Week reminds us that listening is not a once-a-year activity. Every conversation with a consumer, family member or community member provides an opportunity to improve healthcare. At HCCWA, listening to lived experience is central to everything we do.
Together, we can help make healthcare fair for all.