National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories
Wednesday, 24 May 2023
-
The theme for National Reconciliation Week is 'Be a Voice for Generations'.
National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
Reconciliation requires us to face our history, recognise the injustices and work towards healing and understanding. Throughout the week, let’s take the time to learn, engage and amplify the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
You can start by hearing stories of survival from Australia’s Stolen Generation survivors and explore the extent to which past government policies impacted the many regions of our continent.
National Reconciliation Week is also an opportunity to learn more about the upcoming national referendum to change the Australian Constitution. The Uluru Statement from the Heart invites all Australians to walk together to build a better future by establishing a First Nations Voice to Parliament enshrined in the Constitution.
ECU is proud to advocate for a ‘Yes’ vote in the upcoming referendum.
Theme for National Reconciliation Week
The theme for this year's Reconciliation Week events is 'Be a Voice for Generations'.
The dates of National Reconciliation Week commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.
On 27 May 1967 Australia’s most successful referendum saw more than 90 per cent of Australians vote to give the Australian Government power to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and recognise them in the Census.
While on 3 June 1992 the Australian High Court delivered the Mabo decision, the culmination of Eddie Koiki Mabo’s challenge to the legal fiction of ‘terra nullius’ (land belonging to no one) and leading to the legal recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of lands. This decision paved the way for Native Title.
National Reconciliation Week Events
Virtual Breakfast
Thursday 25 May, 8.00am - 10.00am
Broadcasted live from Boola Bardip WA Museum, RWA is inviting one million West Australians across the state to join the NRW Virtual Breakfast. The Breakfast will shine a light on positive generational stories and The Voice referendum. Speakers include former federal Indigenous Affairs Minister Ken Wyatt, reconciliation ally Craig Foster, and WA Indigenous Affairs Minister Tony Buti. Register to attend.
Welcome to Country and Cultural Talk at HBF Arena in Joondalup
Friday 26 May, 9.00am
Learn about the Aboriginal culture and history of Joondalup by Noongar man Dennis Simmons, CEO of Maar Koodjal Aboriginal Corporation. Get all the details.
Karen Jetta - Annual Bridge Walk
Friday 26 May, 10.30am - 12.30pm
Take part in National Reconciliation Week Bridge Walk from Koombana Foreshore to Bunbury Foreshore following a ceremony and Flag Raising at the Graham Bricknell Shell. Find out more.
See all the events at the Reconcilliation Australia website.
Learn more about The Voice to Parliament
We have compiled a range of resources on the Voice to Parliament, including news articles, academic research and community initiatives.
Find out more about the Uluru Statement from the Heart, the proposed Voice to Parliament and why a referendum is needed to bring about this change. There's also links the fact checking information so you can access if what you are hearing about this issue is true or not.