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NAIDOC Week: A Time to Celebrate, Reflect, and Take Action
- Ashleigh Pengelly
- Jul 7
- 5 min read
Whether you’re marching, making, creating, educating or resting—you’re part of something bigger. This week is for all of us, in all the ways we show up.
NAIDOC Week is here—a time for truth-telling, connection, celebration, and fierce pride in who we are and where we come from. It’s a moment to honour our Elders, amplify our voices, and carry culture forward in our own way.
Whether you’re Blak, an ally, or just learning how to walk alongside mob the right way—there’s space for everyone this week. But how you show up matters.
So here’s a guide for navigating NAIDOC Week with intention, pride, and impact.
5 Things You Can Do This NAIDOC Week
1. Get Involved in Community Events
Show up. Be present. Whether it’s a flag raising, a panel yarn, or a local art show—these moments ground us. If you’re Blak, it’s a chance to celebrate and connect. If you’re not, it’s your time to witness and listen.
2. Buy Blak and Back Mob-Owned Businesses
This is a time to put your money where your mouth is. Support Blak makers, creatives and entrepreneurs—whether it’s candles, earrings, art, books or beauty products. You’re not just buying a product. You’re backing legacy.
3. Learn Whose Country You're On (and say it properly)
Respect starts with recognition. Know the name of the Country you're living on. Learn how to say it right. Acknowledge it in your work, your classroom, your meetings—and mean it.
4. Speak Up and Stand Strong
Call out the racism when you see it. Celebrate the wins. Challenge the status quo. You don’t have to be an activist to make a difference—but you do have to use your voice when it counts.
5. Create Space for Culture
Whether it’s your art, your language, your story, or your survival—own it. And if you’re not mob, remember to share the mic, not take the stage. There’s power in listening, and power in passing it on.
What to Read, Watch, Listen to This NAIDOC Week
Whether you’re soaking up stories, fuelling your fire, or passing resources on—here’s a Blak-curated list to feed your spirit this week:
📚 Book:“Talking to My Country” by Stan Grant
A deeply personal and political reflection on what it means to be a First Nations person in modern-day Australia. A must-read for both mob and allies alike.
🎧 Podcast:“Blak Matters” – Narelda Jacobs & Teela Reid
Two deadly women breaking down Blak issues, politics, identity, and justice with unfiltered honesty and humour.
🎥 Movie:“The Australian Dream” (2019)
More than a documentary—it’s a reckoning. Adam Goodes’ story is a mirror held up to this country.
🎵 Song:“Black Privilege” by Barkaa
Powerful. Proud. Unapologetically Blak. Barkaa speaks to the pain, pride, and power of our people.
Blak Brands I’m Loving Right Now
If you’re looking to treat yourself, find a meaningful gift, or just support deadly Blak creatives—here are three brands I’m obsessed with right now:
🖤 Jaanabulaan
Currently killing it on TikTok, i'v loved watching the growth in Biancas business. The way she centres her family in everything she creates is admirable and she has recently released the CUTEST Big Lub bears!
Instagram: @jaanabulaan
Website: jaanabulaan.com.au
🖤 Little Big Sista
A brand that walks with purpose—creating clothing and accessories that empower and educate, with a whole lot of heart woven through it. Eb recently put together her own guide to buying Blak and i really just wanted to reiterate and shre the love! You can see Eb's guide on her socials.
Instagram: @littlebigsista
🖤 Ngurrbul Collection
Fresh threads. Powerful messages. Made to be worn loud and proud. Ngurrbul is repping culture with style. Like me, Tara alo recently took on the challenge of a retail store and in a similar journey handed it back due to wanting to do business HER WAY! Admirable always! Also, she copped alot of flack on socials for handinfg back the shop, but aqll power to her for understanding what works best for her business!
Instagram: @ngurrbul.collection
Website: ngurrbulcollection.com.au
These are just a few of the incredible Blak businesses doing big things. Follow them, buy from them, and help push their work into more hands and hearts.
LBD Products to rock this NAIDOC Week
5 Things You Can Do This NAIDOC Week
1. Get Involved in Community Events
Show up. Be present. Whether it’s a flag raising, a panel yarn, or a local art show—these moments ground us. If you’re Blak, it’s a chance to celebrate and connect. If you’re not, it’s your time to witness and listen.
2. Buy Blak and Back Mob-Owned Businesses
This is a time to put your money where your mouth is. Support Blak makers, creatives and entrepreneurs—whether it’s candles, earrings, art, books or beauty products. You’re not just buying a product. You’re backing legacy.
3. Learn Whose Country You're On (and say it properly)
Respect starts with recognition. Know the name of the Country you're living on. Learn how to say it right. Acknowledge it in your work, your classroom, your meetings—and mean it.
4. Speak Up and Stand Strong
Call out the racism when you see it. Celebrate the wins. Challenge the status quo. You don’t have to be an activist to make a difference—but you do have to use your voice when it counts.
5. Create Space for Culture
Whether it’s your art, your language, your story, or your survival—own it. And if you’re not mob, remember to share the mic, not take the stage. There’s power in listening, and power in passing it on.
What to Read, Watch, Listen to This NAIDOC Week
Whether you’re soaking up stories, fuelling your fire, or passing resources on—here’s a Blak-curated list to feed your spirit this week:
📚 Book:“Talking to My Country” by Stan Grant
A deeply personal and political reflection on what it means to be a First Nations person in modern-day Australia. A must-read for both mob and allies alike.
🎧 Podcast:“Blak Matters” – Narelda Jacobs & Teela Reid
Two deadly women breaking down Blak issues, politics, identity, and justice with unfiltered honesty and humour.
🎥 Movie:“The Australian Dream” (2019)
More than a documentary—it’s a reckoning. Adam Goodes’ story is a mirror held up to this country.
🎵 Song:“Black Privilege” by Barkaa
Powerful. Proud. Unapologetically Blak. Barkaa speaks to the pain, pride, and power of our people.
Blak Brands I’m Loving Right Now
If you’re looking to treat yourself, find a meaningful gift, or just support deadly Blak creatives—here are three brands I’m obsessed with right now:
🖤 Jaanabulaan
Currently killing it on TikTok, i'v loved watching the growth in Biancas business. The way she centres her family in everything she creates is admirable and she has recently released the CUTEST Big Lub bears!
Instagram: @jaanabulaan
Website: jaanabulaan.com.au
🖤 Little Big Sista
A brand that walks with purpose—creating clothing and accessories that empower and educate, with a whole lot of heart woven through it. Eb recently put together her own guide to buying Blak and i really just wanted to reiterate and shre the love! You can see Eb's guide on her socials.
Instagram: @littlebigsista
🖤 Ngurrbul Collection
Fresh threads. Powerful messages. Made to be worn loud and proud. Ngurrbul is repping culture with style. Like me, Tara alo recently took on the challenge of a retail store and in a similar journey handed it back due to wanting to do business HER WAY! Admirable always! Also, she copped alot of flack on socials for handinfg back the shop, but aqll power to her for understanding what works best for her business!
Instagram: @ngurrbul.collection
Website: ngurrbulcollection.com.au
These are just a few of the incredible Blak businesses doing big things. Follow them, buy from them, and help push their work into more hands and hearts.
LBD Products To Rock This NAIDOC Week
Final Words
NAIDOC Week isn't just a celebration—it's a declaration. Of survival. Of sovereignty. Of culture that refuses to be erased.
Whether you’re marching, making, creating, educating or resting—you’re part of something bigger. This week is for all of us, in all the ways we show up.
Let’s honour the past. Celebrate the present. And keep building that future—together, on our terms.
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