NAIDOC Week: Celebrating culture, dance, and connection

Sophie Fletcher
Jun 29
5 min read

Updated: Jun 29

Each July, NAIDOC Week sweeps across Australia, filling it with events and celebrations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture, and achievements. From a classical dance perspective, NAIDOC is a chance to reflect on the deep connections between Indigenous dance traditions and the world of ballet, reminding us that movement, storytelling, and community are at the heart of both.

What does NAIDOC stand for?

NAIDOC stands for the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. While originally the name of the organising committee, NAIDOC now refers to the week-long celebration itself, dedicated to honouring and promoting the cultures and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Who started NAIDOC? A brief history

NAIDOC’s origins trace back to the 1920s and 1930s, when Aboriginal rights activists like Uncle William Cooper and the Australian Aborigines’ League campaigned for better treatment and recognition. The first major milestone was the 1938 “Day of Mourning,” a protest held on the 150th anniversary of British colonisation. Over time, this day evolved into a celebration of culture, shifting from protest to pride.

By 1957, the National Aborigines Day Observance Committee (NADOC) was established to organise events. In 1991, the committee expanded to include Torres Strait Islander peoples, becoming NAIDOC and reflecting the diversity of Indigenous Australia.

When did NAIDOC week start?

NAIDOC Week, as we know it today, began in 1975 when the celebration was extended to a full week in July, from the first to the second Sunday. This allowed for a broader, more inclusive recognition of Indigenous culture and history. If you want to deep dive into its evolution, the educational resources of NAIDOC are a great place.

NAIDOC logo

The NAIDOC flag and logo

While there is no official “NAIDOC flag,” the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags are central to NAIDOC celebrations, symbolising pride and unity. There is, however, a specifically designed NAIDOC logo. It's available for public use and is widely displayed during the week. If you'd like to download any of the official resources, head over to NAIDOC downloads.

How is NAIDOC celebrated? Events and activities

NAIDOC Week is marked by a rich tapestry of events and activities, including:

Traditional and contemporary dance performances
Art exhibitions and cultural workshops
Storytelling and yarning circles
Flag-raising ceremonies
Community festivals, markets, and sporting events
Educational initiatives in schools and workplaces

These events are open to everyone, encouraging all Australians to engage with and learn from Indigenous cultures. There is an up-to-date list of all events in all states that you can filter by your location.

NAIDOC Awards: Honouring excellence

A highlight of NAIDOC Week is the annual NAIDOC Awards, which celebrate the achievements and outstanding contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across categories such as

Person of the Year
Female Elder
Male Elder
Creative Talent
Innovation Award
and more.

These awards shine a spotlight on leaders, artists, and community champions, inspiring future generations. You can read the profiles of the current and past winners and view details of the latest and past ceremonies and recipients on the National NAIDOC Week Awards Ceremony page.

Aboriginal dance: The living language of movement

Storytelling through dance

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dance is one of the oldest living traditions on Earth, with roots stretching back over 65,000 years. Dance serves as a living language, telling stories of the Dreamtime, the land, and the ancestors. Each movement, rhythm, and costume is imbued with meaning, reflecting the diverse histories and experiences of Indigenous communities.

Types and meanings of dances

Traditional dances are performed at corroborees—community gatherings that celebrate, heal, and pass on knowledge. Dances vary widely between regions and can represent:

Animal mimicry - such as Kangaroo dance (Marloo), Cassowary dance (Bundara), Emu dance (Watji)
Hunting and daily life - such as Mosquito dance (Ngukum) or Sugar bag dance
Spiritual and ceremonial events - such as Warning dance (Gurrunga), and initiation ceremonies

Mosquito Dance - Jose Calarco

These dances reinforce social bonds, celebrate heritage, and serve as a means of spiritual connection to the land and ancestors. You can learn more about each dance if you're after more detailed description.

Dance as cultural identity and resilience

For Indigenous Australians, dance is a vital tool for cultural expression and identity. It fosters community cohesion, provides a sense of belonging, and acts as a powerful assertion of resilience in the face of historical marginalisation. Dance also facilitates spiritual practices, allowing communities to honour ancestors and express gratitude to the land.

Ballet meets Aboriginal dance: A Creative dialogue

The connection between ballet and Aboriginal dance is more than artistic curiosity. It’s a celebration of shared values: storytelling, discipline, and the search for meaning through movement.

Jiří Kylián’s “Stamping Ground”

World-renowned choreographer Jiří Kylián was deeply moved after witnessing a gathering of hundreds of Aboriginal dancers on Groote Eylandt in 1980. He observed the sophistication, group dynamics, and expressive stamping techniques of Aboriginal dance - elements he had been striving to capture in his own choreography. Inspired, he created Stamping Ground, a contemporary ballet that channels the spirit, not the steps, of Indigenous dance. Kylián was particularly struck by the group focus and absence of competitiveness, contrasting with Western dance traditions.

Bengarra performing Stamping Ground — Stamping Ground performed by Bangarra

Contemporary collaborations

You have surely heard of Bangarra. A dance company fusing traditional Indigenous dance with contemporary forms, including ballet. Its dancers have varied dance backgrounds that they leverage to blend the grounded, earthy movements of Aboriginal dance with the contemporary dance style. Collaborations between Bangarra and The Australian Ballet have produced some incredible works, such as:

Alchemy (1996) - Choreographed by Stephen Page, it is an exploration of four mineral substances and the tensions resulting from their dual importance in Indigenous ritual and Western industrialism.
Rites (1997) - Another work of Stephen Page, premiered at the Melbourne International Festival of the Arts. Rites brought together dancers from both companies, fusing classical ballet technique with Indigenous dance and storytelling. Set to Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring, the work explored themes of earth, spirit, and the cycles of nature, and toured nationally and internationally, including performances in Paris, London, and New York.
Warumuk – in the dark night (2012) - Created as part of The Australian Ballet’s 50th anniversary Infinity program, this work was a seamless collaboration where dancers from both companies worked together in the creative process. Inspired by Aboriginal star myths, the piece moved from the evening star to the morning star, with a score by David Page that blended orchestral and Indigenous soundscapes.

Join us at SF Ballet

Adult ballet may feel like a mile away from NAIDOC celebrations. But at its core, NAIDOC Week is about honouring culture, resilience, and the power of community, and that's something we resonate with.

This year’s NAIDOC theme is “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy.” Every tradition, whether ancient or new, is carried forward by people who share, learn, and move together.

By celebrating NAIDOC, we recognise that dance - whether in a corroboree or a ballet studio - connects us across generations and backgrounds.

Lear more about SF Ballet's classes