Cultural Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that the following contains the name of a deceased person.
As Australia prepares to celebrate NAIDOC Week 2026, Cricut has announced a new collaboration with Dharug artist Kyralee Shields, bringing Indigenous artwork to millions of creators worldwide through the Cricut Design Space platform while raising funds for Indigenous communities.
The initiative launches ahead of NAIDOC Week (6–13 July 2026), which this year celebrates the milestone theme “50 Years of Deadly“.
Through Cricut’s Contributing Artist Program, Shields has created three exclusive digital designs that users can incorporate into personalised projects using Cricut cutting machines. Every time one of these designs is used, proceeds will be donated to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF), with Cricut also matching donations generated during July 2026.
Supporting Indigenous storytelling through creativity
The collaboration reflects Cricut’s ongoing commitment to showcasing Indigenous artists while helping preserve and celebrate First Nations culture through creative technology.
Kyralee Shields said NAIDOC Week provides an important opportunity to share Aboriginal culture with a broader audience.
“NAIDOC Week is a time to celebrate my culture on a broader scale and create opportunities for the wider community to learn about and connect with Aboriginal culture.”
She added that this year’s 50-year milestone acknowledges the resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples while celebrating generations who fought for recognition and representation.
Shields also believes platforms such as Cricut Design Space help introduce Indigenous perspectives to audiences who may otherwise have limited exposure to Aboriginal art.
“Being able to showcase our art through large platforms, like Cricut, allows the broader community to connect with our culture. It gives Indigenous artists the opportunity to share our stories and perspectives with people who may not otherwise have the opportunity to encounter them.”
Honouring the legacy of Leah Cummins
Cultural Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that the following contains the name of a deceased person.
The 2026 initiative also honours Leah Cummins, the late founder of Bunya Designs and a proud Mayi Kulan and Kalkadoon woman, who collaborated with Cricut during previous NAIDOC Week campaigns.
In tribute to Cummins’ legacy, Cricut confirmed that proceeds from both her previous artwork and this year’s collection will be donated in her honour to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.
The ILF is a national, community-led charity that works alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to provide culturally relevant books, educational resources and publishing programs supporting storytelling in local languages.
Bringing Indigenous art to a global audience
The designs are available through the Cricut ANZ Designs profile within Cricut Design Space, making them accessible to Cricut’s global community of more than eight million members.
Nicola Dow-Smith, ANZ Region Director at Cricut, said the partnership aligns with the company’s broader commitment to creativity, community and diversity.
“We’re proud to showcase the incredible talent of artist Kyralee Shields through the Contributing Artist Program, working together to share digital designs with our community to make. This partnership is one way we honour and respect First Nations traditions and culture, helping keep Indigenous storytelling alive for the next generation.”
Three designs celebrating culture and resilience
Shields’ collection includes three original works:
- Celebrating Strength — representing resilience, Country and community.
- Celebrating Culture — highlighting storytelling, identity and cultural continuity.
- 50 Years of Deadly — created specifically for this year’s NAIDOC Week theme, featuring the Aboriginal flag and gum leaves symbolising growth and the generations who have shaped NAIDOC.
Each design can be used across a wide range of Cricut projects, from personalised home décor and apparel to educational resources and community displays.
DRN’s take
While Cricut is best known for its smart cutting machines and creative software ecosystem, this collaboration demonstrates how digital crafting platforms can also become vehicles for cultural education and social impact.
Rather than simply releasing themed content for NAIDOC Week, Cricut is using its global creative community to amplify Indigenous voices while directly supporting literacy initiatives that help preserve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories for future generations.
For Cricut users looking to create projects that celebrate NAIDOC Week, these officially licensed designs offer an opportunity to contribute to a meaningful cause while recognising one of the world’s oldest continuing cultures.
