The role Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders play as community leaders and advocates is being celebrated across the country.
NAIDOC Week recognises the significance of First Nations people and cultures, with this year's theme being For Our Elders.
Elders are knowledge holders and play a vital role addressing issues including health, education and employment outcomes.
William Tilmouth, chair of Children's Ground in Alice Springs, has been named NAIDOC male elder of the year.
Mr Tilmouth, an Arrernte elder, is a member of the Stolen Generations, who were forcibly removed from their families and culture.
He has dedicated his life to preventing the repeat of trauma inflicted on previous generations.
“I'll accept the award on behalf of all those elders who have gone before me who were never nominated, and never had this opportunity to have their voices heard," Mr Tilmouth said.
"Those who hold our law, songs, ceremony and knowledge, theirs are the voices we need to listen to."
Aunty Matilda House-Williams, a proud Ngambri, Wallabalooa and Wiradjuri elder, has been named NAIDOC female elder of the year.
Dr House-Williams was one of the early protesters who helped establish the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Canberra in 1972.
She was also part of establishing the Aboriginal Legal Service in the 1980s.
"We are very, very powerful, us elders," Dr House-Williams said.
"I've never turned away from anything and I will fight until I cannot stand no more.''
In Brisbane, the Queensland Museum will host a three-day cultural festival for NAIDOC Week, led by elders from the Dingaal community.
Mangal Bungal: Clever Hands will highlight the Dingaal people's spiritual connection to Jiigurru (Lizard Island) in the Great Barrier Reef.
Clever Hands runs from Friday until Sunday and shares traditional knowledge, culture and stories of walking on country.
Dingaal culture will be shared through storytelling in language by elders, dance performances, ceremonial jewellery-making and workshops.
Mangal Bungal creative lead Tanya Yoren said the museum was a great place for people to come together and explore First Nations history.
“I’m happy to have this opportunity to share our culture and stories with visitors through language, dance and art," she said.
"Our ancestors were Dreamtime cultural leaders, and this will bring their stories to life.”
In Sydney's Hyde Park, there will be a range of family-friendly activities, performances, live music, dance, food and art, traditional games, workshops, learning spaces and market stalls.
Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said she was proud to live in a country that was home to the world’s oldest continuing living culture.
"We value the importance of First Nations peoples and their culture, and NAIDOC in the City is an opportunity for everyone to experience some of that rich and vibrant culture through dance, art and food," she said.
