What NAIDOC means to me

Published on 02 June 2025

Written by Evander Mitchell, proud Gunditjmara and Wemba Wemba man, and Darebin Aboriginal Employment Programs Officer

Recognition, connection, and culture are some of the words that come to mind when I think about NAIDOC Week. It is the time of the year where the community comes together to celebrate our achievements, our resilience as people, and a time to honour the generations before us.

“NAIDOC is a part of who I am. I remember attending the events with my family as a child and hold proud memories of marching through the city and chanting alongside my community.

This is something I share with my son now, and I bring him along to experience culture the same way I did with my parents”

The theme this year is The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy. As a parent, a special theme like this resonates with me. It’s always been a goal to ensure that my culture and connection to country is passed on through my children, and to have that embedded through NAIDOC’s themes and events only strengthens our families.

Given the theme, I asked my son what he think of NAIDOC, and he said it’s about ‘Getting to spend time with my cousins and family, and to go to the events together’.

His thoughts are exactly how I felt when I was a child attending the same events, as it’s truly special how this week brings us all together. NAIDOC Week shows how far we have come as a community in the face of adversity, and to hold our connection to country strong. I encourage everyone to listen, learn and celebrate with us.

NAIDOC Week celebrations will be held from 6 – 13 July 2025.

Find out more at darebin.vic.gov.au/NAIDOC-week