Written by Mark Matthews
5th – 12th July marked the celebration of 50 Years of NAIDOC.
NAIDOC Week is an annual celebration of the history, cultures, achievements and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The 2026 NAIDOC Week theme was “Celebrating Deadly”.
You might ask, “what does celebrating deadly mean”? The answer in my estimation being, intentionally recognising the strength, leadership, resilience and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
In Aboriginal English, deadly is a term of respect and affirmation, describing people, communities and achievements that are outstanding, inspiring and life-giving.
The deadly theme resonates strongly with the relationships that we at the COACH Network have had the privilege to form over many years with Indigenous leaders across Australia, including the valued leadership of The Salvation Army in Townsville led by Aunty Shirli Congoo and her team.
These relationships have been built on trust, mutual respect and a shared commitment to walking alongside indigenous leaders and being prepared to be guided by them.
The important principles we learned from our indigenous friends is of listening first, valuing local wisdom and recognising that sustainable change is achieved when individuals and communities lead their own journey.
“Celebrating Deadly” acknowledges not only individual achievement but also the strength of communities that continue to preserve culture, foster hope and invest in future generations.
The Indigenous COACH Community Mentoring model provides a practical expression of these values. At its heart, Indigenous COACH Mentoring is about empowering people to identify and pursue their own life goals through supportive mentoring relationships.
Rather than providing solutions, mentors walk alongside participants, encouraging them to recognise their strengths, explore possibilities and make informed choices. This approach aligns closely with the principle of self-determination, recognising that lasting change is most effective when people shape their own future.
Within Indigenous communities, we have learned that COACH mentoring becomes particularly powerful when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mentors support their own people.
These mentoring relationships are grounded in shared culture, lived experience and genuine understanding. They build confidence, strengthen identity and create opportunities for local leadership to flourish.
In this context, “Celebrating Deadly” is seen not only in individual success stories but also in the everyday acts of encouragement, wisdom and friendship that Indigenous COACH Mentors generously share with others in their communities.
The significance of this approach was captured by Aunty Florence Onus, the inaugural Chairperson of the Healing Foundation, an initiative birthed out of the Royal Commission to the stolen generations. Florence observed, “Our people have been waiting a long time for an initiative like this.”
Her words recognise the importance of initiatives that respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership and create space for communities to determine their own priorities and pathways.
Ultimately, “Celebrating Deadly” can be more than a NAIDOC Week theme. It can be an ongoing celebration of Indigenous leadership, community strength and the partnerships that enable people to flourish.
Through trusted relationships, local leadership and the COACH mentoring model, communities are empowered to pursue their aspirations with confidence, dignity and hope. These are truly “deadly” outcomes – reflecting excellence, resilience and the enduring strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Mark Matthews
COACH Community Mentoring Co-Author & Empowered Faith Communities Co-Founder
