NAIDOC launches 2026 theme 50 Years of Deadly , marks major milestone
25 January, 2026
Media releases
The National NAIDOC Committee has today unveiled its 2026 national theme, 50 Years of Deadly, marking five decades of NAIDOC Week, a week dedicated to amplifying and celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures.
For fifty years, NAIDOC themes have spoken to survival, resistance, culture and pride. They have honoured Elders and leaders, celebrated creativity, and challenged the nation to listen, reckon and act. Each theme has marked a moment in time, capturing where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were, and where the country needs to pay attention.
50 Years of Deadly is both a reflection and a declaration. It acknowledges the strength it has taken to reach this milestone, not by chance, but because generations of people refused to be silenced. It recognises the organisers, artists, activists and communities who carried NAIDOC forward year after year, ensuring it remained grounded in culture and community.
NAIDOC has always been more than a single week. It is a platform for truth-telling, a celebration of identity, and a statement of continuity. Today, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are leading change across every field. From health and education to media, business and the arts - telling their own stories, in their own way, on their own terms.
NAIDOC Co-Chair Steven Satour said the 2026 theme marks both a milestone and a moment of responsibility.
For fifty years, NAIDOC themes have marked the moments when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices shaped the national conversation, Mr Satour said. 50 Years of Deadly recognises the leadership and cultural authority that carried this movement forward and affirms that NAIDOC's next chapter will be shaped by community leadership, long-term vision, and a stronger, more sustainable future. NAIDOC Co-Chair Aunty Professor Lynette Riley said the theme honours the collective effort behind the movement.
NAIDOC has always belonged to mob, Aunty Lyn Riley said. This theme honours the people who stood firm, who kept organising, creating and leading, and who ensured culture and community remained at the centre of everything NAIDOC stands for.
Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon. Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, said:
This year's NAIDOC Week theme, 50 Years of Deadly, celebrates a powerful milestone in the history of NAIDOC. It reflects the pride, strength and resilience of First Nations people and it points to a bright future ahead. I encourage all Australians to get involved with NAIDOC Week this year. Whether you attend or host a local event, or nominate someone deserving for a NAIDOC Award, it's a meaningful way to celebrate and recognise the positive contributions First Nations people have made to their communities and our country. The official NAIDOC Week poster is an important and prestigious part of NAIDOC Week. The 2026 National NAIDOC poster competition gives First Nations artists a national platform to share their culture, creativity and storytelling.
Principal Media Partnership
NITV and SBS will join National NAIDOC Week as Principal Media Partner for a three-year term from 2026 to 2028, supporting the ongoing visibility and impact of NAIDOC across the country. This partnership reflects a longstanding relationship between NAIDOC, NITV and SBS in championing First Nations storytelling and community leadership.
Tanya Denning-Orman, a proud Birri and Guugu Yimidhirr woman and Director, First Nations at SBS, said: NAIDOC is led by mob and is a powerful expression of culture, truth-telling and community. As we mark 50 Years of Deadly, we honour the Elders, leaders and communities who carried this movement forward and helped shape its future.
For NITV and SBS, this partnership is grounded in our shared commitment to elevate First Nations voices and perspectives. It is at the heart of what we do, and we're proud to stand alongside NAIDOC as principal media partner, supporting the next chapter of a movement led by our communities, and ensuring the significance of this moment is shared nationwide.
As part of the national launch, NAIDOC has also opened nominations for the 2026 NAIDOC Awards and the National NAIDOC Poster Competition, inviting communities, artists, schools and organisations across the country to participate in the milestone year.
50 Years of Deadly is a marker of what has been built and of the momentum still growing. It is a reminder that NAIDOC belongs to community, that culture leads, and that the work continues.
For a pdf of this media release, click here.
Asia, Australia & Oceanic Stories
23/04/2026
Apply now to join the 2026 Producer Delegation to TIFF: The Market 23 April 2026
Screen Australia, in partnership with Ontario Creates, has opened application...
22/04/2026
SBS names shortlisted brands for 2026 SBS Media Sustainability Challenge
22 April, 2026
Media releases
National broadcaster also releases its second annual...
21/04/2026
Applications open for 2026 AISF and Screen Australia Writer/Director Virtual Ses...
20/04/2026
Register now - Market & Audience Department Ask Me Anything (AMA) Session 11 February 2026
Screen Australia Head of Market & Audience Rakel Tansley
Talking to...
20/04/2026
Screen Australia announces funding for 44 documentary projects that reflect a s...
20/04/2026
Screen Australia appoints Tanya Phegan as Narrative Content Head of Development 17 March 2026
Tanya Phegan
Screen Australia has today announced the appointmen...
20/04/2026
Applications Open for Skip Ahead 11 19 March 2026
Past Skip Ahead recipients (L-R): Macfarlane Bros, Rainbow Bop, Lyanna Kea.
Screen Australia and YouTube Aus...
20/04/2026
Screen Australia empowers the next games generation, including new creatives fro...
20/04/2026
Official Co-production Ask Me Anything (AMA) Session 26 March 2026
Image (L-R): Mix Tape, Michele McDonald, Flower & Flour.
Interested in international Co-pro...
20/04/2026
Screen Australia announces Narrative Content funding for 91 projects, including ...
20/04/2026
Production Infrastructure and Capacity Analysis (PICA) pinpoints four key workfo...
20/04/2026
Australians in Film and Screen Australia Announce the 2026 Participants in the T...
20/04/2026
Screen Australia relaunches website with new tools and improved user experience 16 April 2026
Screen Australia relaunches website
Screen Australia has relaun...
16/04/2026
SBS reveals all-star alumni team to celebrate 70 years of the Eurovision Song Co...
02/04/2026
SBS Welcomes Back Cup Fever! For The Biggest FIFA World Cup Ever
2 April, 2026
Media releases
Santo Cilauro, Ed Kavalee and a host of special guests retur...
02/04/2026
Truth. Power. Perspective: NITV's Flagship Current Affairs Programs Return t...
27/03/2026
NITV to broadcast farewell to Rhoda Roberts AO with special coverage and week-lo...
21/03/2026
New campaign from NAATI and SBS CulturalConnect highlights how we all deserve t...
21/03/2026
Statement regarding Rhoda Roberts AO
21 March, 2026
Media releases
SBS is deeply saddened by the passing of Widjabul Wieybal woman from the Bundjalung Na...
20/03/2026
Feast for cycling fans as SBS extends road cycling broadcasts to include all Gra...
19/03/2026
Silicon Valley satire The Audacity premieres 15 April on SBS and SBS On Demand
19 March, 2026
Media releases
From one of the writer/producers of Succession...
19/03/2026
SBS brings communities together at Bondi Pavilion for Harmony Week multilingual ...
19/03/2026
Clarification from SBS regarding Western Sydney expansion
19 March, 2026
Media releases
From an SBS spokesperson:
SBS wishes to clarify some media coverag...
19/03/2026
Techtel announces inctrl : web-based production control for content creators, co...
18/03/2026
Jess Ho explores the politics of food in new SBS Audio podcast For The Culture
18 March, 2026
Media releases
New SBS Audio podcast For The Culture, hosted ...
17/03/2026
New campaign from NAATI and SBS CulturalConnnect highlights how we all deserve ...
12/03/2026
AFL and NITV partner to launch new First Nations led program Inside the Huddle&...
06/03/2026
Statement on the appointment of Dr Nicholas Pappas AM as SBS Chair
6 March, 2026
Media releases
The SBS Board and Executive have welcomed the appointment o...
05/03/2026
SBS and Mint Pictures to chronicle the Bondi terror attack in major feature docu...
05/03/2026
Winter Olympic stars return to the ice for ISU World Figure Skating Championship...
04/03/2026
100 Days to Go: SBS Unveils World Class Team for The Greatest Show on Earth -The...
02/03/2026
Global powerhouse Delta Goodrem to represent Australia at this year's Eurovi...
02/03/2026
SBS brings together prominent voices to discuss rising social division and seek ...
02/03/2026
NITV Unveils Wednesday Night Sport Night
2 March, 2026
Media releases
A Midweek Hub for Blak Sport
Flagship NRL program Over The Black Dot moves to Wednes...
02/03/2026
Ausfilm and Screen Australia launch joint UK market initiative 2 March 2026
Ausfilm and Screen Australia have announced Partner with Australia (UK), a new init...
27/02/2026
Screen Australia announces Rachel Perkins as Director of First Nations Strategy 27 February 2026
Screen Australia has today announced the appointment of Rachel...
18/02/2026
SBS brings Australians together to mark Ramadan and Eid with communities nationw...
16/02/2026
SBS's Powerhouse Current Affairs Line-up is Back with the Conversations and ...
12/02/2026
Our Medicine S2: Frontline Medicine Through A Blak Lens
12 February, 2026
Media releases
A Bigger, Bolder Second Series showcasing First Nations Frontline ...
11/02/2026
ABS Strengthens Ku-Band Capacity and Expands Regional Reach Through Strategic Pa...
10/02/2026
World-first opt-out function now fully integrated on SBS On Demand
10 February, 2026
Media releases
SBS has announced a suite of audience-first enhancement...
09/02/2026
SBS Media Sustainability Challenge returns for 2026
9 February, 2026
Media releases
The challenge offers brands and agencies $500,000 in advertising invent...
04/02/2026
Queer Renegades: SBS Audio's new podcast reclaiming Australia's queer hi...
03/02/2026
The smash-hit series The Hospital: In the Deep End returns to shine a spotlight ...
02/02/2026
SBS's High-Flying Drama The Airport Chaplain casts Hugo Weaving alongside Th...
30/01/2026
Introducing the NEW Techtel.tv! | FEB 5% OFF Offer
30 Jan Written By Suzanne Costello
Our Website & Online Store: Now Unified for a Seamless Experience.We&#...
28/01/2026
28 01 2026 - Media release Screen Australia refreshes Market & Audience approach...
26/01/2026
NAIDOC launches 2026 theme 50 Years of Deadly , marks major milestone
25 January, 2026
Media releases
The National NAIDOC Committee has today unveiled its...
23/01/2026
FY2025 Full Year Results...
NAIDOC launches 2026 theme 50 Years of Deadly , marks major milestone 
