National Reconciliation Week (NRW) 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.
The dates for NRW remain the same each year; 27 May to 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.
Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
2019 theme
The 2019 National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is Grounded in Truth: Walk Together with Courage.
Reconciliation Australia’s Chief Executive Officer, Karen Mundine, said that trust and truth is the basis for all strong, equitable relationships.
“Reconciliation is ultimately about relationships and like all effective relationships the one between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians must be grounded in truth,” she said. “There can be no trust without an honest, open conversation about our history.”
“It encourages me that Australians are ready to come to terms with our past as a crucial step towards a unified future, in which we understand, value and respect each other.”
During NRW, Australians from all backgrounds will also be inspired to ‘walk together with courage’ as they contribute to building stronger relationships based on historical acceptance.
“Whether you’re engaging in challenging conversations or unlearning and relearning what you know, this journey does require all of us to walk together with courage towards a unified future,” Ms Mundine said.
“Truth telling is not about engendering guilt or shame in non-Indigenous Australians but about addressing past injustices and serving as an “end-point to a history of wrongdoing”, allowing healing and for relationships to start anew.”
For more details on the #NRW2019 Campaign,click here.