NAIDOC Week 2026
Welcome
National NAIDOC Week (5–12 July) celebrates the histories, cultures, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
This year, NAIDOC Week 2026 marks a milestone, celebrating five decades of Indigenous voices, culture and communities.
The 2026 theme – '50 Years of Deadly' – is a tribute to the people who built this movement. The Elders who stood firm, the organisers who made space, the artists who turned resistance into expression, and the communities who keep showing up, year after year.
Keynote Lecture with Dr (Aunty) Pat Anderson AO
On Tuesday 7 July 2026, Dr (Aunty) Pat Anderson AO will deliver the annual keynote address during NAIDOC Week at UQ.
Dr Anderson AO is an Alyawarre woman known nationally and internationally as an advocate for the rights and health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. She has extensive experience in Aboriginal health, including community development, policy formation and research ethics. She was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2014 for distinguished service to the Indigenous community as a social justice advocate, particularly through promoting improved health and educational and protection outcomes for children. In 2018, the national NAIDOC Committee recognised Dr Anderson AO's life-long contribution with the Lifetime Achievement Award and in 2021 she was awarded the ACT Senior Australian of the Year.
Reserve a ticket
NAIDOC Poster Audio Tour
When: Monday 6 July - Friday 10 July
Where: St Lucia, Herston and Gatton campuses and online
Launching in 2025, we will continue to celebrate NAIDOC 2026 with corflute posters installed across UQ campuses as part of an interactive audio tour developed by UQ Life. The tour features five unique NAIDOC posters, each corresponding to significant milestones in UQ’s ongoing Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) journey. Listen to short audio pieces exploring the significance of these milestones, their impact on the UQ community, and their contributions to UQ’s broader reconciliation efforts. Whether you're on campus or exploring virtually, this self-guided experience invites you to reflect, learn, and engage with the stories that shape reconciliation at UQ.
2026 program
Indigenous Futures: 50 Years of the History of Deadly
When: Friday 3 July, 8am to 6pm
Where: St Leo's College
Indigenous Art and Library Discovery Trail
When: Monday 6 July - Friday 10 July 2026, 10:30am to 2:30pm
Where: Level 1, Duhig Tower
Explore, celebrate and discover Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, cultures and stories at UQ Library.
This self-guided Indigenous Art and Library Discovery Trail will start at Level 1, Duhig Tower (Building 2) and continue through Duhig and Central Libraries. Pause to reflect on the artworks and stories, and take part in hands-on activities at the daily activation booths from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm during NAIDOC Week (Monday 6 July - Friday 10 July 2026).
Image: Megan Cope, Whispers (poles) 2023. Repurposed oyster shell waste, cypress pine, charcoal. Collection of the University of Queensland, donated 2025. Installation view, to come together as water, UQ Art Museum, 2025. Photo: Joe Ruckli.
NAIDOC Poster Audio Tour
When: Monday 6 July - Friday 10 July 2026
Where: St Lucia, Herston, and Gatton campuses and Online
To celebrate NAIDOC 2026, UQ has added two more corflute posters to the collection that will be installed across UQ campuses as part of an interactive audio tour developed by UQ Life. The tour features seven unique NAIDOC posters, each corresponding to significant milestones in UQ’s ongoing Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) journey. Listen to short audio pieces that explore the significance of these milestones, their impact on the UQ community, and how they contribute to UQ’s broader reconciliation efforts. Whether you're on campus or exploring virtually, this self-guided experience invites you to reflect, learn, and engage with the stories that shape reconciliation at UQ.
50 Years of Deadly: A Comedy Keynote with Steph Tisdell
When: Monday 6 July, 3pm to 5pm
Where: GHD Auditorium, Advanced Engineering Building
From Evidence to Action: Research, Evidence, and Policy Influence
When: Tuesday 7 July, 11am to 12pm
Where: Online
As part of the UQ Poche Centre Seminar Series, A/Prof Summer Finlay will discuss how translating research into meaningful policy change remains challenging for many researchers. This seminar explores practical strategies for generating policy-relevant evidence and effectively communicating findings to policymakers and stakeholders.
Celebrating Deadly at UQ with Dean Parkin
When: Tuesday 7 July, 12pm to 1:30pm
Where: St Lucia Campus
Join us for a fireside chat with Alumni Dean Parkin on 50 years of Deadly at UQ.
Over the last few years, Dean has been focused on achieving a successful referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament. As Campaign Director for YES23, he picked up a few lessons along the way, including but not limited to campaigning, leadership, advocacy, government relations, community engagement, public speaking, and stakeholder engagement.
UQ NAIDOC Keynote Lecture with Ms Pat Anderson AO
When: Tuesday 7 July, 3pm-5pm
Where: Advanced Engineering Building, Learning Theatre
The Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement) at The University of Queensland is proud to host the annual UQ NAIDOC Week Keynote Lecture with Dr (Aunty) Pat Anderson AO.
Dr (Aunty) Pat Anderson AO is an Alyawarre woman known nationally and internationally as an advocate for the rights and health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Dr Anderson AO has extensive experience in Aboriginal health, including community development, policy formation and research ethics. She was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2014 for distinguished service to the Indigenous community as a social justice advocate, particularly through promoting improved health, and educational and protection outcomes for children. In 2018, the national NAIDOC Committee recognised Dr Anderson AO's life-long contribution with the Lifetime Achievement Award and in 2021, she was awarded the ACT Senior Australian of the Year.
Unbroken Whispers: The Ripples Connecting Sea Kin
When: Wednesday 8 July, 9:30am to 11:00am
Where: TRI Auditorium, Dutton Park
Walking art tour: First Nations art on campus
When: Wednesday 8 July & Friday 10 July, 10:30am to 11:30am or 1pm to 2pm
Where: Forgan Smith Building
*Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visitors are advised that tour discussions and artworks may contain names of deceased people. In these circumstances, families of the artists’ have granted permission for these works to be discussed at UQ St Lucia.
NAIDOC Week BBQ with APS
When: Wednesday 8 July, 11am to 3pm
Where: Central Sizzle BBQ, Campbell Place
In celebration of NAIDOC Week 2026, the UQ Association of Postgraduate Students (APS) invites all students and staff to a free community BBQ.
Join us as we gather to celebrate and honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures, and achievements.
No registration required.
"Our Journey: the story of Ewamian people at Talaroo" NITV Premiere
When: Thursday 9 July, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Where: Learning Theatre (206), Steele Building
Join us for a NAIDOC Week screening and Q&A of Our Journey: the story of the Ewamian people at Talaroo. This 35-minute documentary follows the Ewamian people’s return to Talaroo Station in North Queensland, their unique hot springs tourism enterprise and their collaboration with the national science agency CSIRO to support sustainable futures. NITV will premiere the film nationally during NAIDOC Week. UQ community are welcome to this event exploring Indigenous-led partnerships, ethical storytelling, reconciliation, and community-driven change.
50 Years of Deadly: Indigenous Policy Leadership – Past, Present and Future
When: Thursday 9 July, 11 am - 12:30 pm
Where: Online
As part of NAIDOC Week 2026 and the theme 50 Years of Deadly, the Centre for Policy Futures will host an online conversation exploring the contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders to Australian public policy over the past five decades, as well as the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.
Featuring a senior First Nations policy leader, the event will reflect on key achievements, lessons and future priorities, followed by a facilitated yarning-style discussion and audience Q&A on Indigenous leadership and Australia’s future.
Musgrave Park Family Fun Day
When: Friday 10 July 2026, 9am - 4pm
Where: Musgrave Park
Join UQ at Australia's largest NAIDOC Cultural Celebration for a family-friendly festival with live entertainment, exhibits and activities showcasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage.
UQ stallholders include:
UQ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit (ATSIS Unit)
UQ Poche Centre for Indigenous Health
UQ Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences (HMBS)
So, please visit us and say hello!
Joe Geia Band Performance
*Original date rescheduled due to construction works.
When: Wednesday 29 July, 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm
Where: Dr Mary Mahoney AO Amphitheatre
Lighting up Forgan Smith & Mayne Medical School
During NAIDOC Week, both the Forgan Smith building (St Lucia) and Mayne Medical School building (Herston) will be lit at night in the colours of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags.
Contact
For more information on UQ's NAIDOC Week events, please email Indigenousengagementevents@uq.edu.au