NAIDOC Week – Connecting Through Story

NAIDOC Week (6–13 July 2025) is a time to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This year’s theme “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy”, invites us to reflect, listen, and learn from First Nations communities, acknowledging connection to Country as central to identity, culture and belonging.

At Learn From Play, we believe story is one of the most important tools we have for helping children understand and respect the deep cultural knowledge of our First Nations peoples. Story connects us to Country, to each other, and to the past, present and future. Whether you’re a classroom teacher, librarian, or home educator, NAIDOC Week is the perfect time to engage young readers with stories that celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices.

On our website, you’ll find more than 40 sets of book activities that support children to explore and connect with these themes. Each resource is designed to deepen engagement with the text, support respectful conversations, and build understanding in age-appropriate ways.

Some books we recommend exploring this NAIDOC Week include:

• "Ask Aunty: Seasons" by Aunty Munya Andrews and Charmaine Ledden-Lewis: This vibrant, engaging picture book introduces children to the concept of the six Aboriginal seasons and encourages observation of the natural world. Our activity set invites students to explore weather, seasonal change, and how different cultures relate to the cycles of nature, promoting environmental awareness and a deeper understanding of Indigenous knowledge systems.

  
  

• "Walking in Gagudju Country" by Diane Lucas and Ben Tyler: A beautiful exploration of Kakadu through the eyes of Traditional Owners. We’ve created activities that explore language, natural science, and connection to place.

  
  

• "Country" by Aunty Fay Muir, Sue Lawson and Cheryl Davison: This book is a gentle, lyrical introduction to core cultural values. Our matching activities help young children understand the concepts of respect, family, Country and community in practical, thoughtful ways.

  
  

• "Walking Together" by Carol Vass and Dub Lefler: A powerful introduction to the Uluru Statement from the Heart. Our activities support students in exploring the importance of truth-telling, voice and action, while keeping the learning age-appropriate and grounded in hope.

  
  

Each of these books is available on our site with downloadable resources to help you bring them to life in your classroom or library. To find the others just use the tag filter in book activities and select “First Nations Australians”. 

As always, we encourage you to approach these conversations with care and respect. Wherever possible, seek out local stories and knowledge holders in your own area – NAIDOC Week is not just about national celebration but local connection too.

Story is a bridge. It can spark curiosity, build empathy, and remind us that we all have a role to play in caring for Country and respecting the knowledge that has lived here for tens of thousands of years.

Explore the full list of book activities for NAIDOC Week on our website and let’s keep learning, reading, and reflecting together.