This NAIDOC Week, held from 5 to 12 July 2026, Next Practice Deakin and Next Practice Community acknowledge and celebrate the history, cultures, strength and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The 2026 NAIDOC theme, 50 Years of Deadly, marks 50 years of NAIDOC Week recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices, leadership, creativity, resistance, pride and community.
At Next Practice Deakin and Next Practice Community, NAIDOC Week is a time to listen, learn, reflect and celebrate. It is also a reminder of the importance of respectful, person-centred healthcare that recognises the role of culture, Country, family, community and identity in health and wellbeing.
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live and work, including the Ngunnawal people of the Canberra region, and pay our respects to Elders past and present. We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our community.
As a healthcare community, we recognise that health is shaped by more than appointments and treatments. It is connected to trust, safety, belonging, respect, access and being heard. We are continuing to work towards care environments where every person is treated with dignity, and where care is guided by each person’s circumstances, needs and preferences.
NAIDOC Week is a celebration, and it is also an invitation to keep learning beyond one week of the year. We encourage our team, patients and wider community to engage with First Nations stories, voices, events, art, language, history and leadership.
To Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients, families, colleagues and community members: we acknowledge your strength, knowledge, care and contribution.
More Articles
View all articles
