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We honour and celebrate 50 years of NAIDOC

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UOW Library is beginning a journey to be a culturally safe place that welcomes and embraces Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

This year from 6 – 13 July, the UOW Libraries at ¾«¶«´«Ã½ and Shoalhaven campuses will celebrate with book displays and posters. At Shoalhaven Campus Library, enjoy delicious teas made from native ingredients, and place a pledge on the Flame Tree of Commitment.

Look for Aboriginal Sticker labels on book spines in our physical collection of Indigenous books at ¾«¶«´«Ã½ Campus Library. This project is ongoing and was initiated to make it easy to identify the Indigenous books on the shelves.

We have also applied cultural warnings to our digital collection to ensure safety for readers, and you will see this notice in search results of our online catalogue.

The introduction of ‘You Can’t Say That’ booklets has been well-received by students with physical copies of this UOW resource available from the Library Service Desk, and digital downloads available here.

The Library also partnered with Indigenous academics from the School of Health and Society (HAS) to secure the 2024 Informit Publishing’s First Peoples' Lens Cultural Grant, which was used to develop an Indigenous-led curated database of Indigenous knowledge resources for inclusion in curriculums, with the Library facilitating promotion, discovery and access.

As we continue to build and maintain relationships and connections with the community and other national and international universities, the library aligns itself with the HART Tracks. We are proud to be part of this journey towards truth-telling and cultural safety.

“As we enter 2025, NAIDOC Week marks a powerful milestone: 50 years of honoring and elevating Indigenous voices, culture, and resilience. The 2025 theme, "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy," celebrates not only the achievements of the past but the bright future ahead, empowered by the strength of our young leaders, the vision of our communities, and the legacy of our ancestors.

The NAIDOC journey began as a movement for recognition and rights, sparked by Indigenous communities who saw a future built on justice and equality. Over the decades, it has grown into a powerful national celebration, a testament to the enduring strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. As we commemorate this 50-year legacy, we also look forward, honouring the next generation who will carry the torch, shaping the future with courage, insight, and deep respect for our roots. Guided by the wisdom of our Elders and the groundwork laid by our forebears, each NAIDOC Week reinforces our vision for an Australia where Indigenous voices are not only heard but lead the way.” -