50 YEARS OF DEADLY! 

WHY THIS EVENT EXISTS

For generations, NAIDOC Week has reminded us of the power that exists in coming together.

For our own mob, NAIDOC Week creates important space and time to reconnect with what matters most: Culture, Community, Family and Celebration of Survival.

For non-Indigenous people, it has become an important week of celebration, reflection and recognition across Australia.

For more than a decade, Yarn Bark has contributed to NAIDOC Week through powerful community, organisational and cultural engagement experiences that have reached and impacted thousands of people across both community and corporate settings.

This work has always been guided by a clear and consistent vision: to bring people together, to honour and embrace First Nations Culture and History in empowering and strength-based ways, and to help shape a stronger shared future across all of our diverse communities.

Yet beyond the week’s events, visibility and symbolic moments, we are often left sitting with the same important reality — the growing need for deeper, more meaningful and ongoing contribution long after NAIDOC Week itself has passed.

A need for conversations that feel more human. For connection that feels more genuine. And for solidarity that continues beyond the boundaries of a single week alone.

In 2026, we invite you to join Yarn Bark’s first Virtual National NAIDOC Week Kick-Off Event — a unique national experience designed to bring individuals, communities and organisations together in meaningful reflection as we transition into NAIDOC Week together.

This experience will include:

• A powerful culturally immersive keynote presentation designed to unite hundreds of people and organisations across Australia who are committed to walking a shared path forward together.
• A meaningful pathway for deeper community contribution, with all proceeds from registrations directly supporting Yarn Bark’s ongoing and under-resourced work through our early intervention, prevention, wellbeing and healing initiatives in community.
• Access to “The Work After NAIDOC Week” — a unique self-paced 4-week reflection companion experience designed to support continued conversation, reflection and meaningful practice beyond the week itself.

This virtual gathering presents an opportunity to slow down, reflect more deeply and enter NAIDOC Week with greater intention, connection and shared understanding.

Embracing the 2026 theme “50 Years of Deadly” through celebrating the past, honouring the journey and reflecting on a future together that is built to last. 

More than simply an online event, this experience marks the beginning of what will become an ongoing annual national gathering in the years ahead.

SUPPORTING COMMUNITY LED IMPACT

All proceeds from this event directly support Yarn Bark’s ongoing community-led wellbeing, prevention, healing and cultural connection initiatives supporting First Nations communities.

This includes work connected to:

• Burnout and wellbeing support for Aboriginal frontline workers. 
• Cultural connection programs for Aboriginal Young People. 
• Community wellbeing initiatives grounded in connection, care and relational practice. 
• Highly accessible capacity building programs for Aboriginal Fathers. 

By participating in this experience, individuals and organisations are not only contributing to important conversations during NAIDOC Week, but also helping support meaningful work that continues within community well beyond the event itself. All those who attend the event will remain updated on the deeper impact of their investment.