In 2026, NAIDOC Week marks a significant milestone — 50 years of celebrating and elevating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices, culture, stories and achievements across Australia.
Inspired by this year’s national theme, 50 Years of Deadly, the City of Joondalup will present an extended program of events and experiences celebrating First Nations art, storytelling, culture and community connection.
Running from 7 July to 15 August, it invites the community to come together through a range of film, art and cultural experiences across Joondalup.
Whether you’re attending for the first time or continuing a long tradition of celebrating NAIDOC Week, everyone is welcome to connect, learn and share in this year’s program.
Gallery Program | Two Girls From Amoonguna
Presented at Joondalup Contemporary Art Gallery from 7 July to 15 August, Two Girls From Amoonguna is a nationally touring exhibition from ACMI featuring new work by acclaimed artists Sally M Nangala Mulda and Marlene Rubuntja.
Through painting, soft sculpture and animation, the exhibition shares the artists’ intertwined stories of friendship, resilience and life in the Central Desert community of Mparntwe (Alice Springs).
At the centre of the exhibition is Arrkutja Tharra, Kungka Kutjara, Two Girls, an animated work created in collaboration with Ludo Studio, the Emmy Award-winning team behind Bluey.
The exhibition leads the gallery’s NAIDOC program – supported by a series of Saturday workshops and creative activities – offering visitors additional opportunities to engage with First Nations culture, creativity and storytelling.
Participants can take part in hands-on experiences including flower pressing, bush flower essence making, Aboriginal art workshops, storytelling sessions and weaving activities, alongside displays from the City’s First Nations art collection and family-friendly creative activities.
What's on
- 7 July to 15 August | Two Girls From Amoonguna
- 11 July | Flower Pressing Workshop
- 18 July | Bush Flower Essence Workshop
- 25 July | Basket Weaving Workshop
- 1 August | Aboriginal Art Workshop
- 8 August | Toolmaking and Artefacts Workshop
- 15 August | Bush Animal Weaving Workshop
First Nations Film Program at Hoyts Joondalup
The City’s 2026 NAIDOC celebrations will also include a six-week First Nations film program at Hoyts Joondalup, showcasing powerful stories from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander filmmakers, artists and communities.
Screening every Tuesday from 7 July to 11 August, the program presents a diverse mix of documentaries, drama and contemporary cinema, highlighting themes of identity, resilience, music, culture and community. Tickets are just $5 per screening.
What's on
- 7 July | Arratika: Rise Up!
- 14 July | Journey Home: David Gulpilil
- 21 July | Gurrumul
- 28 July | Sweet As
- 4 August | The Moogai
- 11 August | In My Blood It Runs
Celebrate 50 Years of Deadly
Whether you’re visiting the gallery, attending a workshop or catching a film at the cinema, the City of Joondalup’s 2026 NAIDOC program is a chance to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, creativity and storytelling.
Image credit: Sally M Nangala Mulda and Marlene Rubuntja. Courtesy Tangentyere Artists. Photo: Bec Capp.