NAIDOC week march, 2026

I was late, of course. So, I spent 15 or 20 minutes walking through the crowd of people gathered outside the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service, searching for the group from work (with no success!). This had me alternating between weaving my way through the mob and standing off to one side to survey it. In the midst of reports of One Nation polling frighteningly high in several of our state's polls (it's a state-election year), it replenished my hope. Seeing the many people and peoples standing together to celebrate, to remember, to acknowledge, to activate, and perhaps even to agitate, reminded me that resistance is everywhere in many and varied forms. It's in the big - protest; disruption; subversion; politics; fierce, loud activism. It's in the small - supporting Blak businesses, sharing a post. Turning up. And so i wrote this while walking to reflect on, and remember what I saw, who I saw, and what I was part of.

Those of us descended from colonisers. Those who have come from other places and now call this beautiful Aboriginal land home. Children, young people, older people and the old. Organisations walking proudly behind banners. Groups of friends. And me, who can’t find either. All walking alongside the first peoples of this land. 50 shades of Deadly. This land is Wurundjeri and we will end on (or close to) Boon Wurrong land. One of the speakers I heard was Yorta Yorta. I’m sure many are from different lands all over this country we now call Australia.

I’m walking for several reasons. To come alongside. To show up. To acknowledge…to acknowledge so many things. The complicity of my ancestors. The historical actions of my profession. The harms caused by people who looked like me, sounded like me, people who were me, and I so easily could have become. Who I, perhaps, have actually been, without intent. I am a well-meaning white woman, with a heart full of care. But even (especially?) well-meaning white women with hearts full of care can enact long-lasting, generation-defying harm. I am learning to say I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you and I can see that I did. beyond not doing it again, how can I make it right? And I'm learning to listen.

And so, I suppose I’d like to extend an invitation to you - those who are my fellow well meaning white people with hearts full of care - to take a moment to reflect on where your privilege lies.

• What does being white make easy for you?

• What can’t you see because it’s missing?

• Who can't you see because they're missing? Whose voice isn't being heard?

• What can’t you see because you’ve never been taught, invited or encouraged to see it?

• Who can't you see because you've never been taught, invited or encouraged to see them?

• How do you respond if someone says your actions or words hurt them...that intent doesn't undo impact?

• How can you use your power, privilege or influence to lift Aboriginal (or other marginalised if you're not in the Australian context) voices...to do your own acknowledging in the circles and spaces where you hold power, privilege or influence? At the ballot? In your community? At your workplace? With your friends? In your home? 

I am beyond proud to be walking alongside, and living amongst, the oldest continuing culture. To honour and respect. To celebrate survival. To celebrate 50 years of NAIDOC deadliness, and thousands of years of being deadly.

Always was always will be Aboriginal land 🖤💛❤️

NAIDOC week is the first week in July each year, and is recognised nationally in Australia. NAIDOC is an acronym for National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee.