Each year National Reconciliation Week (NRW) celebrates and builds on the respectful relationships shared by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians.
As Christians, who have Reconciliation at the very heart of our faith, this week provides us with the perfect opportunity to put action to our beliefs.
This year Reconciliation Week (May 26 - Jun 3) coincides with three significant anniversaries:
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The 20th anniversary of the historic “Bringing Them Home” report into the Stolen Generation, commemorated on National Sorry Day (May 26).
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The 50th anniversary of the 1967 Referendum, when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders were finally counted as Australian citizens (May 27).
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The 25th anniversary of the famous ‘Mabo’ case in the High Court, which overturned the myth of “terra nullius” and declared Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to be the Traditional Owners of the land (Jun 3).
These dates commemorate monumental moments in our nation’s history, and mark our ongoing journey towards reconciliation. But many of us may not be familiar with what they represent and their meaning to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Right now, we’re working with Aboriginal Christian leaders from across Australia to develop a range of stories, resources, reflections and actions to be released daily from May 26 to June 3rd, designed to help our whole community meaningfully engage with these significant moments.
Listening and learning are the best places to start on the journey towards practising reconciliation, and so that’s what we’re inviting you to do this Reconciliation Week.