Reconciliation Week 2019

Will you sign up to this courageous journey of friendship as we seek to share important truths and hear these truths with open ears, hearts and minds?

National Reconciliation Week 2019

This years National Reconciliation Week theme is: Grounded in Truth: Walk Together with Courage.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to love one another with our actions, and in truth. 

But what should this look like between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Australia?
What actions do we need to take? How do we love one another in truth?

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. - 1 John 3:18

This National Reconciliation Week, 27 May - 3 June, we will aim to answer these questions through a series of daily blog posts and prayers written by Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Christians.

The focus will be: "Reconciliation as Truth in Action" and we will be shedding light on the following truth telling areas:

  • Stolen Land
  • Stolen Generations
  • Stolen Wages
  • Massacres
  • Stolen Lives - Closing the Gap
  • Stolen Lives - Aboriginal Deaths in Custody

Reconciliation cannot happen without truth and action, and that takes a courageous friendship. Truth is the grounding to be able to walk together in courage. Action is what enables Reconciliation to be achievable.

Will you commit to this courageous journey of friendship as we seek to share important truths and hear these truths with open ears, hearts and minds? Sign up to receive our reconciliation week content in your inbox!

 

What is National Reconciliation Week?

National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June) is an annual celebration that builds upon the respectful relationships shared by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians. During Reconciliation Week all Australians are invited to learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories, to share that knowledge and help us grow as a nation.

 

· by

Reconciliation as Truth and Action: Stolen Land

On the second day of Reconciliation week, Adam Gowan shares of the importance of Country to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and the impacts of terra nullius and stolen land, and Dr Peter Adam leads us in a prayer of lament and justice.

· by Samuel Dinah

Reconciliation as Truth and Action: Stolen Generations

Today during National Reconciliation Week, we take time to reflect on the Stolen Generations. We have the honour of hearing from Reverend Samuel Dinah, Nyoongar elder and member of the Stolen Generations. Gomeroi woman Bianca Manning also shares with us a prayer of healing and lament.

· by

Reconciliation as Truth and Action: Massacres

On Day 6 of Reconciliation Week, we are confronting the blindness in our nation surrounding Aboriginal massacres. Florence Hydon is co-chair of the Bass Coast South Gippsland Reconciliation Group. She shares with us the Group's journey of learning the hidden truths of massacres and land theft in their region, and of advocating for truth telling and justice. We feature Safina Stewart's painting titled 'McMillan'.

· by

Reconciliation as Truth and Action: Stolen Wages

On day 7 of National Reconciliation week, we shed light on the truth of Stolen Wages. Byron Smith encourages us to 'acknowledge the realities of systemic theft and fraud committed against our first peoples.' Brooke Prentis leads us in a powerful prayer of lament. #NRW19 #GroundedInTruth