What NAIDOC week is all about ?

The longstanding desire of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to have an enhanced role in decision-making in Australia underpins this year's NAIDOC week, that runs from July 7th to the 14th.

The famed Parkes honoured with the traditional name of Murriyang, acknowledging the culture of the local Wiradjuri people. Source: AAP

Organised by the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee, NAIDOC has its roots in activism that took place in the 1920s and 30s.

On Australia Day in 1938, protesters marched through Sydney in what was called a Day of Mourning.

Its success led to the Day of Mourning being marked each year on the Sunday before Australia Day, in what became known as National Aborigines Day.

An Aboriginal man plays a didgeridoo during Australia Day in Sydney, Australia. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith) Source: AP

That day of remembrance was eventually shifted to the month of July so the day of protest could also be one of celebrating Aboriginal culture.

In 1975, it was decided to turn the annual commemoration into a week-long event marked from the first to the second Sunday in July.