Every year, from the 27th of May to the 3rd of June, National Reconciliation Week is observed. It’s a chance for all Australians to acknowledge and learn the nation’s shared history, to amplify the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and to explore how we can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
Reconciliation is a path that all Australians must undertake — as people, families, communities, organisations, and, most importantly, as a nation. By playing our part, we can collectively establish partnerships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures, and futures.
This year commemorates twenty years of Reconciliation Australia and nearly thirty years of Australia’s formal reconciliation process. This year’s theme is “More than a Word. Reconciliation Takes Action” pushing the movement to make more of an impact. We all have a role to play, and when we get involved we can start to build relationships, and build up communities that place a value on the histories, cultures, and futures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Contribute to achieve reconciliation in Australia
Recent events show that people recognise that things must change, and they are speaking up against concerns impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Hundreds of events are taking place around the country in schools, community centres, businesses, and cultural organisations. All of these activities embracing the concept and recognising that more significant action is necessary for reconciliation to occur in Australia.
National Reconciliation Week is an excellent chance to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land, as well as the distinct role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture in this country, and for us to reflect on the past and strive to do better in the future. Each and every one of us has a part to play.
For ways you can get involved check out these 20 reconciliation actions for the year 2021 – more people need to speak up, ask the hard questions and take action during, and beyond this week.
This National Reconciliation Week, we acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Land on which we stand. We acknowledge and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
#MoreThanAWord #NRW2021
