For Dharawal siblings Grace and Noah, NAIDOC Week is more than an annual celebration — it is an opportunity for young First Nations people to strengthen their connection to culture, community and Country.
Grace, who completed Year 12 in 2024 and is now studying at TAFE, said NAIDOC Week — whose 2026 theme is '50 years of deadly' — played an important role in helping young people learn about their culture and history.
It is where younger generations learn more about their culture and their ancestors, she said.
"The young generation will learn something that they haven't seen or done before."
For her younger brother Noah, who is in high school, NAIDOC Week is about helping young people form lasting connections within their communities.
"It builds a foundation from that young age, creating connections and bonds with people in their community they may not have met otherwise," he said.
Noah said that whilst schools made an effort to recognise NAIDOC Week, there wasn't a strong focus, with plenty of room for improvement.
"There is effort put into these things and my Aboriginal Liaison Officer does a wonderful job fostering an environment and organising events during the week," he says. "However, without her, little would be done."
Both Noah and Grace are active GO Foundation alumni, an organisation that helps create a space for First Nations students to unlock the power of their identity and culture while at school and university.
As communities across Australia mark NAIDOC Week, the siblings say the annual celebration also gives young people an opportunity to share their culture with others.
"When I was at school during NAIDOC week, I got to learn new things about my culture. I also got to teach other students about my culture," she says.
Asked how they stay connected to culture beyond NAIDOC Week, both pointed to activities that keep them grounded in identity and Country.
For Grace, it is about "dancing and trying to do some arts and crafts in the way my ancestors did".
For Noah, his strongest connection comes from spending time on Country and "the land around me".
"I live close to the Mount Annan Botanical Gardens and frequent the area," he says.
"Every time I visit there I feel connected and am able to see my Country's beauty and health."
