Cairns NAIDOC Week 2025 focusing on next generation and elder knowledge

Australians are relying on the advice of Indigenous elders more than ever, Cairns NAIDOC Week organisers say, urging the governments to follow suit.

Carly McEwan proudly displays the Aboriginal flag during the NAIDOC Week march as it makes its way along Spence Street before finishing at Fogarty Park. Picture: Brendan Radke

Young Indigenous people are relying on the advice of their elders more than ever, Cairns NAIDOC Week organisers say, urging the western world to follow suit.

Cairns streets echoed chants of “strong in spirit, bold in fight” as first nations peoples and their supporters marched through town to kick off the 50th celebration of the event on Friday.

Deadly Inspiring Youth Doing Good took lead on organising this year’s celebration themed The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy.

The social enterprise’s chief of “good” Merrissa Nona said the week-long recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures would focus on equipping youth with the knowledge of their elders.

Ray Austin and Joanne Borg walk their dogs Ralph and Shirley as they make their way along Grafton Street in the annual NAIDOC Week march before finishing at Fogarty Park. Picture: Brendan Radke

“We still are governed by a western system that doesn’t see value in our ancient way of governing and our ancient knowledge systems that have sustained the lands, the waters, the climate,” Ms Nona said.

“Government systems have interrupted our kinship structures, they’ve disrupted our knowledge systems, our land use.

“But now we see everyone turning to our old people about fire management. These bush fires in Australia, they look to our old people, because when it’s burning season, we know how to do it sustainably.”

Deadly Inspiring Youth Doing Good chief executive Marissa Nona and DIYDG chairwoman Stacee Ketchell helped coordinate the NAIDOC Week march and celebrations held in Fogarty Park. Picture: Brendan Radke

The organisation’s chair Stacee Ketchell said there were also lessons to be learnt on how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people “rebuilt” communities, particularly troubled kids.

“We need our protection systems to understand that there is a way we can invest in rebuilding our village to wrap around the child, rather than a punitive measure where we just keep ripping people out.

“Reframing the thinking of our men to be healthy fathers and healthy individuals: when they are good, our children are good because they’re looking to our older men for guidance.”

Cairns local and first nations woman Leah Garlang said she hadn’t marched since she was a child, but this year felt different.

Semara Jose chanted into the microphone during the NAIDOC Week march along Grafton Street. Picture: Brendan Radke

“It felt really good, I felt emotional. To be a part of this was really a really big deal,” she said.

“I have grandchildren, and some of mother colleagues have kids, and I think this goes to show that our beliefs are going to be there when they’re our age … they won’t die out.

Fiona Macloud had been marching since she was a teenager, she said seeing the sheer force of the community gave her hope.

“It means that we’ve got to teach our children and grandchildren to keep the movement going,” she said.

“I was around as a teenager in the marches through schooling so that’s always been embedded in me. I’m 53, so for the last 40 years I’ve always been a part of this.

This year’s celebration will be held from July 6 to 13 under the theme of next generation: strength, vision and legacy.

Originally published as Cairns NAIDOC Week 2025 focusing on next generation and elder knowledge