Amid criticism and warnings from experts about attacks on children's rights across the country, First Nations communities will mark National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day on Tuesday.
This year's theme, Living Our Truth, recognises the strength, creativity, identity and joy of First Nations children while highlighting the role of families, Elders, educators and communities in supporting them. However, it comes during a time of significant upheaval, with several governments having enacted policies leaders say will harmfully impact Aboriginal communities, children and families.
SNAICC - National Voice for our Children chief executive Catherine Liddle said this year's theme honoured the importance of truth-telling and the passing of knowledge between generations.
"It's about showing our children how special they are, and how special it is that they have this connection to our Elders and more than 60 thousand years of history," she said.
"Today is a day to celebrate that magic for our children and remind them of how deadly they are."
She argued the day was about recognising children's potential and amplifying their voices nationally.
The national flagship event is being held with Kummara Early Years Services in Ipswich/Tulmur, Queensland, on Yagara Country.
SNAICC has partnered with 2026 Children's Day Ambassador Marlee Silva, a Gamilaroi and Dunghutti writer and sports commentator whose work advocates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and communities.
Events are being held around the country to mark National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day, bringing together children, families and communities through cultural performances, storytelling and other activities celebrating culture, connection and identity.
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Ms Liddle said this year's celebrations followed recent developments affecting First Nations children, including the Garma Festival's focus on the future, the achievement of the Closing the Gap target for preschool enrolment and the National Inquiry into Racism.
"Alongside being a Deadly Early Education and Care centre, Kummara Limited is also a Connected Beginnings site, helping almost 3,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families by bringing together early childhood education, health and family support services so children are set up for success within their own community," she said.
"Today families, Elders and children will come together to celebrate through culture, connection, creativity and community. From cultural performances and storytelling to activities that bring children and families together, the day is about creating moments where our children can see themselves, their culture and their community celebrated."
Held annually on August 4 since 1988, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day is observed on a date historically used as the shared birthday for children of the Stolen Generations who did not know their date of birth.
Speaking to NITV, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Commissioner Sue-Anne Hunter argued Australia needed to rethink the way it responded to First Nations families and children or risk another Stolen Generation.
Of the new laws in the Northern Territory, which experts say weaken the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle, she argued: "We know it's going to cause more adverse effects for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people, which means more of our children in out-of-home care.
"We could possibly be looking at another Stolen Generation."
The latest Closing the Gap data showed that while preschool enrolment (Target 3) has already been met, the proportion of children in out-of-home care and the proportion of children developmentally on track continue to worsen.
"First Nations children are not slipping through the cracks. They are being failed by systems designed without them," Commissioner Hunter said last week. "That is our Closing the Gap reality, and it is within the power of our governments to change."
Ms Liddle said investing in children was central to achieving better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
"Closing the Gap starts with our children," she said. "It starts with their truth, their spirit and the people who surround them, love them and believe in them."
