Living Our Truth | Tuesday 4 August 2026
The 2026 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day theme is Living Our Truth, honouring the power of truth-telling, the sharing of knowledge across generations and the importance of telling our stories.
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day is a national celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, held each year on 4 August since 1988. The day is led by SNAICC – National Voice for our Children, the national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak body representing children, young people and families, and is an opportunity for all Australians to recognise and celebrate the strength, pride and potential of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
For 2026, Living Our Truth celebrates the voices, stories and knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and communities. It recognises the importance of truth-telling as a foundation for identity, belonging and cultural strength, and honours the role of Elders and community in passing knowledge to the next generation. This year, we celebrate children as the next generation of leaders; confident, proud and ready to carry forward the strong voices, stories and knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities.
On Children’s Day, early learning services, schools, libraries, sporting clubs, organisations and communities across the country take the lead in their own celebrations in ways that reflect local knowledge, priorities, culture and activities. These celebrations take many forms, including storytelling, cultural learning, art exhibitions, sports days and community gatherings that create spaces where children are seen, heard and celebrated for who they are.
We invite all Australians to join the nationwide celebration, to listen to and value children’s voices, and to recognise the importance of nurturing their experiences, identities and aspirations. Together, we can ensure every child grows up safe, strong, connected to culture and supported to reach their full potential.
