Reflecting on NAIDOC Week 2026: Celebrating 50 Years of Deadly

NAIDOC Week 2026 provided an opportunity for communities across Australia to come together to celebrate the histories, cultures, achievements and enduring contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This year's theme, 50 Years of Deadly, recognised five decades of NAIDOC Week as a national celebration while honouring the generations of people whose leadership, advocacy, creativity and resilience have shaped its legacy.

The history of NAIDOC is one of determination and progress. What began as a movement for recognition has evolved into an important annual celebration that encourages all Australians to learn, reflect and engage with the world's oldest continuing cultures. While it is a time of celebration, it also reinforces the importance of truth-telling, respect and creating opportunities for genuine understanding.

At IPS, we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live and work. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and recognise the enduring connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to Country, culture, waters, community and identity.

Throughout the week, our teams embraced the spirit of NAIDOC by creating space for meaningful conversations and shared learning. Staff from our Perth and Bunbury offices came together for a yarning circle, where our First Nations team members generously shared their stories, knowledge and lived experiences. These conversations strengthened understanding across our teams and reinforced the value of listening with openness and respect.

Following the yarning circle, we shared damper, bush fruit loaf and cupcakes, recognising that coming together over food is another way communities build relationships and connection. While simple, these moments reflected the importance of creating workplaces where people feel safe to share, learn and celebrate together.

For IPS, NAIDOC Week is more than a single week on the calendar. It reinforces our ongoing commitment to fostering culturally safe workplaces, supporting meaningful Aboriginal participation, and continuing to learn from First Nations voices throughout the year.
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As we reflect on this year's celebrations, we also look ahead. The message behind 50 Years of Deadly is not only about recognising past achievements, but about continuing the journey together through respect, curiosity, collaboration and action.

We encourage everyone to continue engaging with First Nations-led businesses, organisations, events and initiatives throughout the year. By listening, learning and celebrating together, we all have a role to play in building stronger relationships and a more inclusive future.