26 May - National Sorry Day
National Sorry Day offers the community the opportunity to acknowledge the impact of the policies spanning more than 150 years of forcible removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families. The first National Sorry Day was held on 26 May 1998 following the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission report, Bringing Them Home: The 'Stolen Children' report (1997) which recommended that a national day of observance be declared.
27 May to 3 June - National Reconciliation Week
Each year, National Reconciliation Week celebrates the rich culture and history of the first Australians. The week provides an opportunity to reflect on achievements so far and highlights the things still to be done in order to achieve reconciliation.
3 June - Mabo day
Mabo day marks the anniversary of the High Court of Australia's judgement in 1992 in the Mabo case. This is a day of particular significance for Torres Strait Islander People however; it has sparked the land rights movement throughout the whole of Australia impacting on both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
1 July - Coming of the Light
The Coming of the Light festival marks the day London Missionary Society first arrived in the Torres Strait. The missionaries landed at Erub Island on 1 July 1871, introducing Christianity to the region.
5-12 July - National NAIDOC Week **POSTPONED**
NAIDOC celebrations are held around Australia to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The week is celebrated not just within the Indigenous community, but also increasingly in government agencies, schools, local councils and workplaces.
Wherever you live, taking part in NAIDOC Week is a great way to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to build bridges between all Australians.