The Finocchiaro CLP Government supported NAIDOC Week events and activities across the Territory with $40,000 in grants.
The NAIDOC Week grants made events possible in remote and regional communities that celebrated Aboriginal culture, language, history and achievements.
The funding is part of the Finocchiaro CLP Government’s commitments to restore our unique Territory lifestyle and empower the bush.
The Finocchiaro CLP Government has applauded the success of NAIDOC Week events across the Territory, which received $40,000 in grants to support activities in remote and regional communities.
The NAIDOC Week Grants Program supported remote and regional communities to deliver their own local NAIDOC celebrations, which will continue up until 31 August.
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said these grants were on top of the funding of $350,000 to Larrakia Nation to deliver a program of major events across the Top End.
“As part of the CLP Government’s commitment to restoring our unique Territory lifestyle, we have supported events and activities right across the Territory that celebrated Aboriginal culture, language, history and achievements for 2026 NAIDOC Week, the 50th Anniversary NAIDOC Week celebrations,” the Chief Minister said.
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Steve Edgington said the $40,000 in grants supported activities such as cultural learning days, art and cultural projects, community celebrations, sporting competitions, BBQs and other events that invite the whole community to participate.
“In our year of growth, certainty and security, these grants are an important part of the CLP Government’s commitment to empowering bush communities,” Minister Edgington said.
“These grants also demonstrate the Government’s commitment to the Aboriginal Affairs Framework that was launched earlier this year by supporting Aboriginal cultural celebrations, strengthening community leadership, and ensuring remote communities can access resources for NAIDOC Week.”
Grants of up to $5,000 were awarded to Aboriginal organisations, businesses and community groups to deliver events and activities running up until 31 August.
NAIDOC Week events which received funding:
Barkly Region:
One Voice Wekare Foundation Inc. – $2,500 to support Barkly NAIDOC celebrations through youth-focused cultural activities, art room, refreshments and event logistics. Urapuntja Aboriginal Corporation – $3,500 to deliver a community cultural exchange with storytelling, yarning, music, shared meals and cultural activities.Tennant Creek Volleyball – $3,000 to host a free community volleyball and sports day celebrating NAIDOC Week.
Big Rivers Region:
Li Wunungu Pty Ltd – $2,500 to host a community NAIDOC lunch in Borroloola.Yugul Mangi Development Aboriginal Corporation – $2,500 to deliver a community NAIDOC celebration in Ngukurr featuring language workshops, cultural arts, traditional activities, ranger presentations and intergenerational knowledge sharing.Alawa Aboriginal Corporation – $2,500 to host a community celebration including cultural performances, storytelling, traditional activities, arts and crafts and a shared community meal.Numburindi Development Aboriginal Corporation – $2,500 to deliver a cultural marquee in Numbulwar featuring weaving, cultural artefact making, language activities, oral histories and a community-led “50 Years of Deadly” community diary project.
Central Australia:
Mutitjulu Community Aboriginal Corporation – $5,000 to deliver a community-led NAIDOC celebration featuring bush foods, arts and crafts activities and cultural celebration.Bradshaw Primary School Council – $1,430 to deliver school-based NAIDOC celebrations including cultural presentations, a disco and community BBQ.
East Arnhem:
Carers NT – $2,500 to deliver culturally led NAIDOC celebrations in East Arnhem Land featuring Yolŋu song, dance, storytelling, language sharing and community meals for carers and people with disability.Nhulunbuy Primary School Council – $3,000 to deliver a school-wide NAIDOC celebration featuring storytelling, language activities, cultural learning experiences with local Aboriginal organisations and knowledge holders, alongside the development of a native and bush tucker garden to support ongoing cultural and environmental learning.
Top End Region:
Belyuen Community Government Council – $2,500 to deliver a community NAIDOC celebration featuring cultural workshops, storytelling, traditional dance revival activities, art competitions, a football match and a community BBQ.Jipungwayi Pty Ltd – $3,570 to deliver a Tiwi community NAIDOC celebration with traditional dance, spear throwing, Aboriginal art, bush foods education and cultural learning activities for young people.JLP Basketball – $3,000 to host a community basketball carnival in Kybrook Farm, near Pine Creek, that combines sport, community participation and NAIDOC Week celebrations for young people and families.
The 2026 National NAIDOC Week Awards Ceremony will take place in Alice Springs on 15 August.
