How NAIDOC Week grew from a one-day protest to a week-long celebration of Indigenous culture

NAIDOC Week, now a prominent fixture in Australia's calendar celebrating Indigenous culture and achievements, evolved from a single day of protest. Aunty Millie Ingram, an 86-year-old Wiradjuri woman, recalls a childhood marked by state government oversight and pervasive racism. Born in 1940, during a period of transition from protectionist policies to assimilation, Ms Ingram lived on the Erambie mission near Cowra in New South Wales. She remembers her mother as a fierce advocate, participating in what became known as the Day of Mourning protest, one of Australia's largest civil rights movements.This pivotal protest took place in 1938, the same year Australia marked the 150th anniversary of the First Fleet's arrival. A significant black and white photograph from that event captured Aboriginal people fighting for recognition and rights. What began as a one-day demonstration has transformed into NAIDOC Week, a nationwide celebration featuring events ranging from national awards ceremonies to art exhibitions and local festivals across both regional towns and capital cities.Initially celebrated primarily by First Nations people, NAIDOC Week has evolved into an invitation for non-Indigenous Australians to participate, with many major companies now marking the occasion. Reflecting on the early days, Ms Ingram stated, "Back in those days, we were all concerned about survival. We were just so oppressed at that time, but there was a lot of fighting [for rights] going on before all of this started."The event was later shifted to the first Sunday in July to encompass the celebration of Indigenous culture and achievements more broadly. Gatherings like Aborigines Day, or "A Day" as some referred to it, provided a crucial platform for asserting rights, demanding recognition, and fostering pride amidst the discrimination faced by Aboriginal people. Ms Ingram noted the vibrant community life at the Erambie mission, mentioning regular dances and the presence of talented musicians.

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Back in those days, we were all concerned about survival. We were just so oppressed at that time, but there was a lot of fighting [for rights] going on before all of this started.