00:00The theme of this year's NAIDOC Week celebrations
00:07rang loud through the Todd Mall as hundreds of residents marched for the next generation.
00:13It's everything that I do, everything is around my kids.
00:16I've got so many looking up to me and following me
00:19and everything that I do really is encompassed by the theme this year.
00:25Celebrations included a flag raising, smoking ceremonies, wood carving and children's crafts.
00:32The way that we carry culture forward is by having young people
00:35because the thing is, you know, they have to be involved in these things.
00:39It's the 50th year of NAIDOC which celebrates and recognises the history and culture of First Nations people.
00:45But some say progress for Indigenous Australians has been slim in that time.
00:50I think we're still combating against the policies of our current governments, state and federal,
00:57on what's needed for Aboriginal people.
01:00I think that's where NAIDOC has sort of failed.
01:04But despite ongoing challenges...
01:06I don't think that whole thing with the Closing the Gap initiative anyway
01:11hasn't even been quarterly touched.
01:15You know, we take a look at the Northern Territory emergency response, the intervention,
01:18look at how damaging that was to our men.
01:21So our men barely touch their children anymore.
01:24And you take a look at our women.
01:26Our women are still struggling to hold our men and children up together.
01:30There's still something to look forward to.
01:33We were actually given the message stick for the 2026 National NAIDOC Awards
01:39to be hosted by Mbantua here in Alice Springs.
01:45Celebrating the oldest living culture in the world in the spiritual heart of Australia.
01:50and about 22 Shopinal C
02:06and a half years ago.
02:09There's a lot throughout the world,
02:10a lot of people who thought they could be doing,
02:12are still out there gettingoperators,
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