Recognised events

Throughout the years a number of Aboriginal events are recognised.

26 January

Australia Day / Survival Day / Day of Mourning
This date marks the landing of The First Fleet in Sydney Cove and Survival Concerts around the country celebrate the survival of colonisation.

13 February

Apology to Australia's Indigenous People
This date marks the National Apology by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in 2008.

21 March

National Close the Gap Day
This day is a national day of action to pledge support for achieving Indigenous health equality, closing the life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians. It is a chance for organisations and communities to hold events and raise awareness of the Indigenous health crisis.

21 March

United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
This day marks the anniversary of the Sharpeville massacre in 1960, when South Africa tried to peacefully protest the apartheid regime.

26 May

National Sorry Day
Anniversary of the 1997 'Bringing them Home' report. A day to express sorrow over the forced removal of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander children from their families.

27 May - 3 June

National Reconciliation Week
Time to focus on ways to move towards reconciliation between non-indigenous and indigenous Australians.

27 May

Anniversary of the 1967 Referendum
Australia's most successful referendum where 90% of Australians voted to acknowledge Indigenous Australians as citizens.

3 June

Mabo Day
Anniversary of the High Court's 1992 decision which recognised Native Title rights of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples and overturned the myth of terra nullius.

1 July

Coming of the Light
Celebration of the introduction of Christianity to the Torres Strait Islands.

7-14 July

NAIDOC Week
National celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

7 July

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (NATSI) Sunday
Starts NAIDOC Week with some prayer and honest reflection.

4 August

National Aboriginal and Islander Children's Day
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day was established by the Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) in 1988. Each year, SNAICC has a theme for Children's Day to highlight a significant issue, concern or hope for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. See SNAICC (Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care) website for theme, information and posters.

9 August

International Day of World's Indigenous People
To recognise the value and diversity of indigenous cultures and to strengthen international cooperation for the support of indigenous people. This day also recognises the achievements and contributions that Indigenous people make to improve world issues such as environmental protection.

4 September

Indigenous Literacy Day
Indigenous Literacy Day is a national celebration of Indigenous culture, stories, language and literacy. The aim is to focus attention on the disadvantages experienced in remote communities to encourage and advocate for more equal access to literacy resources for remote communities.

13 September

Anniversary of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly during its 61st session at UN Headquarters in New York City on 13 September 2007.

10 December

Human Rights Day
Celebrates the proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.