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NAIDOC 2025 – the next generation

A woman with short curly hair, glasses, and a pearl necklace smiles at the camera, wearing a black-and-white checkered blazer against a plain light background.
By University of Southern Queensland Vice-Chancellor Professor Karen Nelson

At the University of Southern Queensland, we recognise that the journey toward a more just and inclusive Australia begins with understanding, respect, and deep listening.

NAIDOC Week 2025 (6-13 July) marks a powerful milestone: 50 years of NAIDOC Week – five decades of honouring and elevating Indigenous voices, cultures, and resilience.

This year’s theme, The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy, invites us to reflect on the past while looking boldly to the future.

It is a celebration of the generations of First Nations people who have paved the way through strength and perseverance – and a call to support the emerging leaders who will carry forward that legacy with pride, purpose, and vision.

At UniSQ, we are proud to stand with First Nations communities in celebrating the richness and diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

We recognise the vital role that education plays in nurturing the next generation. We are committed to ensuring our university remains a place where First Nations voices are not only heard but deeply valued.

Throughout NAIDOC Week, our campuses will host events and activities that reflect this commitment – sharing stories, celebrating culture, and providing space to listen and learn.

As we honour 50 years of NAIDOC Week, let us each consider how we can help build a future shaped by truth, by respect, and by the powerful legacy of those who came before.

Together, we can empower the next generation.