National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is celebrated across Australia each year between 27 May and 3 June. The dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey—the anniversaries of the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision.
May 27 marks the anniversary of Australia’s most successful referendum and a defining event in our nation’s history. The 1967 referendum saw over 90 per cent of Australians vote to give the Commonwealth the power to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and recognise them in the national census. 2012 marks the 45th anniversary of the ’67 referendum.
On 3 June, 1992, the High Court of Australia delivered its landmark Mabo decision which legally recognised that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have a special relationship to the land—that existed prior to colonisation and still exists today. This recognition paved the way for land rights called Native Title. This year is the 20th anniversary of the Mabo decision
National Reconciliation Week provides a time to reflect on the national reconciliation effort. The NRW website lists several actions that we can take.
Look and listen: We have a rich multicultural society that we can be proud of. Why not listen to or go watch some of our talented Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists? Dan Sultan, Christine Anu, The Mills Sisters, Gurrumul Yunupingu, Iwantja Band, Busby Marou, to name a few.
Give your brain a workout: Exercise is the key to good health—for both body and mind. According to the Australian Reconciliation Barometer 4 in 5 Australians believe it is important to know about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures and become open to learning more.
Knowledge and understanding is important for reconciliation. Why not watch a movie, pick up a book and learn a bit more about our awesome country and the amazing people that make Australian great.
(Abridged from http://reconciliation.org.au/nrw)
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