The leader of the peak body for NSW councils said they were holding a number of great community events to help foster a greater understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Cr Keith Rhoades encouraged local communities to help mark this year's National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week, which started on Sunday.

"Our nation's history and heritage begins with Aboriginal people and their achievements and vital contributions to local communities should be recognized," the co-president of Local Government NSW said.

"This year's NAIDOC Week theme, We Value the Vision, honours the 50th anniversary of the presentation of the Yirrkala Bark Petitions to the federal Parliament.

"The success of these petitions played an integral role in shaping Australia's acknowledgement of Aboriginal people and their land rights."

Cr Ray Donald, the other co-president of the peak body, listed Dubbo in a summary of events for the occasion.

"Dubbo City Council, in conjunction with the Dubbo Aboriginal Working Party, will be holding a morning tea and flag-raising ceremony during the week, while the local Dubbo PCYC is hosing the Nations of Origin rugby league tournament and are expecting (more than) 500 young people to get involved," he said.

"I'm pleased to see so many councils supporting their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and collaborating with other groups to showcase their history, customs and achievements."