NAIDOC Week 2026 ran from Sunday July 5 - Sunday July 12. This year's NAIDOC theme was 50 Years of Deadly and is a celebration of 50 years of steady, unapologetic and proud resistance.
Ahead of the NAIDOC Week celebrations, fill-in announcer Larry Quicksticks aired an interview and performance from proud Gumbaynggirr and Noongar woman Emma Donovan on The Afterglow, recorded a few weeks ago in PBS Studio 3.
Listen back here and watch Emma and guitarist Benjamin Edgar perform 'Wash My Soul In The Rivers Flow' live below. You can also witness Emma Donovan performing live with the MSO Friday July 10 (tix here).
Lots of PBS programs celebrated NAIDOC Week on air, check out some of the highlights below:
On Monday July 6, Emelyne was joined by SOVBLKPSSY on The Blend. A queer Ngarrindjeri DJ, producer and radio host currently based on Gadigal and Wangal land, SOVBLKPSSY has carved out her role in the broader queer community as a DJ who moves within both rhythm and resistance. SOVBLKPSSY discusses their new EP with Rydeen, DONT TELL ANYONE.
Iwuda is the solo project from First Nations bassist Davin Ojala. Named after the Anaiwan word for echidna, Iwuda draws on jazz, groove and a wide range of musical traditions to arrive somewhere distinctly its own: bass-forward modern jazz with a searching, restless quality at its core. Davin joined Mike Gurrieri on Mystic Brew to discuss their upcoming debut album, Music for Iwuda.
Proud Yorta Yorta man and Creative Director of Yalinguth, Jason Tamiru joined Richie 1250 for a special edition of The Breakfast Spread. Passionate about supporting his people’s creativity, Jason has worked with many of Naarm’s most iconic performing arts companies. Jason shared sounds and stories woven together with the yidaki and clapsticks, and chatted about the upcoming Yalinguth Archives event presented at The Builders Arms Hotel on July 22 as part of Leaps and Bounds Music Festival.
On Thursday July 9's edition of Down By The River, Lauren caught up with Ngiyampaa man Pirritu about his work which honours a cultural journey connecting to land, language and family. Pirritu also performed a live in studio acoustic set. Listen back here.
Ernie's presented his annual NAIDOC Week edition of Swinging Doors on Thursday July 9.
On Friday July 10, Proud Kaurna man and Aboriginal DJ, Fosters joined Edd Fisher on Tomorrowland for a guest mix ahead of his set at Gunuwarra: Deep Winter Rooftop Gathering, a free-entry evening of First Nations music, culture, community and connection.
Later on Friday July 10, Milo Eastwood took over Stone Love for a special edition of the show. Don't miss Naarm based Aboriginal and Fijian producer and rapper Miles Natau's exclusive Studio 5 Live set from 5pm.
Stay tuned for loads of great tunes, and lots of special guests sharing First Nations sounds and voices on the airwaves.
PBS has had the privilege of many incredible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander guests sharing their music onair. Here are just a couple of highlights that we caught on video over the past 12 months or so:
Kutcha Edwards on The Breakfast Spread March 23, 2026 (feat. Jay Jerome and Claire Dickson!)
Drifting Clouds live on The Breakfast Spread February 25, 2026
Bumpy (full live set) on The Afterglow for Drive Live Wednesday February 18, 2026
Miss Kaninna (full live set) on Firewater for Drive Live Tuesday February 17, 2026
Kee'ahn on The Breakfast Spread October 27, 2025
Roger Knox at Swinging City (on Swinging Doors) July 24, 2025 (feat. Toby Martin)
Charlie Needs Braces at Swinging City (on Radio City) July 24, 2025
Lian Band with William Barton on Global Village in Studio 5 Live May 26, 2025
Events:
You can find a list of NAIDOC Week events here, some highlights include:
Emma Donovan X MSO
7:30pm Friday July 10 at Hamer Hall
This NAIDOC Week, Emma reunites with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra to bring Take Me to the River to life – a tribute to the timeless soul classics that shaped her music and scored the memories of an entire generation.
We Sit in Circle exhibition
Dates: 9am - 5pm July 3 - July 30 at Queen Victoria Women’s Centre
Curated by Flick Chafer-Smith, Ngarrindjeri artist and First Peoples Arts Mentor at The Torch. We Sit in Circle showcases powerful paintings and intricate weavings by First Peoples women with lived experience of incarceration. They are mothers, aunties, grandmothers, daughters, and sisters.
Gunuwarra: Deep Winter Rooftop Gathering 5pm - 1am Friday July 10 at Spiegel Haus Rooftop A free NAIDOC Week fundraiser celebrating First Nations music, culture and community while raising funds for VACCA. The event is produced by Henry Fosters alongside Chris Mitchell and features SOJU GANG, FOSTERS, DJ KITI, TREY, FAF, PVRTAL, with the evening hosted by 2JOOCEEE, Jay Wymarra, Chris Saunders and special guests.
Artist Run Ceramic Workshop
1pm - 4pm Saturday July 11 at APY Gallery, Collingwood Yards
Join APY Gallery at Collingwood Yards this NAIDOC Week for an artist-run ceramics workshop with Ngarrindjeri artist Tiarnie Edwards. Following the workshop, Tiarnie will guide you through decorating two of your own ceramic plates. After the workshop, you're welcome to stick around for refreshments in the Collingwood Yards courtyard. Tickets essential from here.
About NAIDOC Week
National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday), to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. You can support and get to know your local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities through activities and events held across the country. Find out more at naidoc.org.au.
