Reconciliation Week 2015 - Annecto

Reconciliation Week 2015

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is celebrated across the country each year 27 May – 3 June, we acknowledge this important week that is a time for all Australians to connect with and learn about Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures and history.

The NRW dates commemorate two significant historical events – the anniversaries of the 1967 referendum and the Mabo judgement.

May 27 marks the anniversary of Australia’s most successful referendum. 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 to recognise them in the national census.

On 3 June 1992 the High Court of Australia handed down the Mabo decision which legally recognised that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have a special connection to the land pre-colonisation and that this connection still exists today. Mabo gave birth to the Native Title system.

The 2015 theme is It’s Time To Change It Up & anyone can get involved. Hold an event at school, the office, in a park or community centre. Holding your own event is easy. Check out some ideas on the Reconciliation Australia website, reconciliation.org.au

A song competition called Sing Loud! is also being held to bring people together to make music about reconciliation. There are three categories & deadly cash prizes to be won.

The winners will be decided by musicians & NRW Ambassadors Shellie Morris, Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu and The Veronicas.Entries close Sunday 7 June 2015.

What will you do to change it up for NRW 2015?

Share your NRW events and experiences on Twitter using the hashtag #NRW2015

Article by Paulette Whitton – annecto Aboriginal Liaison Officer