Reconciliation Week
published this on 4th of June 2021
I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which I am learning and living on
today; Bunorong/Boon Wurrung land. I pay my respects to the Traditional Owners, their
ancestors and Elders – past, present and emerging.
I’d also like to acknowledge that this piece is written by an Ally, and is not suggestive that
the writer understands the complex histories and emotions faced by Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander peoples due to British colonisation.
National Reconciliation week is about bringing together all Australians in order to strengthen the relationships between Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples. It’s about expanding the knowledge and understanding of our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and creating opportunities to continue working towards a reconciled Australia.
A reconciled Australia is one where our First Nations peoples’ rights are respected, advocated and fought for. This week brings out elements of truth, forgiveness, healing, and love, whilst working towards overcoming the gap and inequality between Aboriginal and non-Indigenous peoples, particularly in terms of health, living standards, income, life expectancy, prejudice, and incarceration rates.
National Reconciliation Week is celebrated each year between the 27th of May and the 3rd of June, commemorating the significant milestones of the 1967 referendum, and the High court Mabo decision respectively. On the 27th of May 1967, Australians voted to change the Constitution so that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples would be considered as part of the Australian population. The Mabo Decision was made on June 3rd 1992, where the High Court of Australia recognised Native Titles and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as having rights to their land. Whilst these dates are both huge victories, the fight for change within the Australian system and the treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is still continuing today. This years theme “more than a word, reconciliation takes action” urges the movement towards bolder, more impactful action.
The 2021 banner was created by artist Jessica Johnson, a Waramungu/Wombaya woman. Johnson explains that the artwork and the colours used “addresses the harsh realities of being Aboriginal in a largely racist society who deny us our belonging, authority and struggle”. The piece reflects the responsibility of all Australians to each other, our community, and country. Together we have the ability to produce real change. Reaching the goals of the movement – a just, equitable, reconciled Australia – takes persistence and united action. Everyone has a role to play concerning reconciliation, and by doing so creating and building a culture of valuing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their histories, and their futures. In order for reconciliation to be effective, we need
to encourage more genuine, truthful understandings between Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander peoples and non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This years theme moves towards actively addressing issues of inequality, systemic racism, and denial of issues that Indigenous peoples face. We need to acknowledge and take ownership for the trauma and issues faced by Indigenous peoples, so that it can then be acted upon. This year’s Reconciliation Week is calling for more than just nice words of encouragement, but demanding action and persistence from all Australians.
Some small yet supportive ways we can work towards reconciliation this year and throughout our daily lives include taking the time to learn a bit about Indigenous culture from Indigenous peoples. This could be by supporting and listening to podcasts, reading books, and watching documentaries all created by Indigenous peoples. This year, have a yarn and be present and ready to listen. Research into and donate to Indigenous organisations that are working on the issues of deaths in custody and raising the age. Take part in literacy day, source and buy from Indigenous companies, read more and get mad! Have the hard conversations with friends and family. Use your newfound knowledge and
understanding and do something with it.
Some epic Reconciliation Week (and life in general!) resources include Unapologetically Blak, Always Was, Always Will Be Our Stories, Pretty For An Aboriginal, and my favourite: Tiddas 4 Tiddas!
Indigenous owned clothing brands that you can support and wear this Reconciliation Week include items from Clothing the Gaps, Yarli Creative, Gammin Threads and Nungala Creative.
A few wonderful Indigenous artists I’ve been listening to this Reconciliation Week that I’d recommend for you all include Thelma Plum, King Stingray, Kaiit (my favourite artist of all time!!), Alice Skye, and of course we can’t forget Ziggy Ramo’s incredible update to Paul Kelly’s “Little Things”.
Before we get too ahead of ourselves however, we must acknowledge that reconciliation week itself isn’t enough; it needs to go beyond the one week a year. In definition, reconciliation is a situation in which two groups of people become friendly again, returning to a state of pre-exisiting harmony or equality. This is a state that Australia has never existed in, between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous people. We do not want to overlook the concept that for some people, Reconciliation week is seen as a means used by the government for their own economic gain and to save face. Land is still being stolen, Indigenous people are being harmed, and the culture is attacked.
Reconciliation week cannot move forward until the people in power face up to Australia’sreal past.
Whilst the words during reconciliation week are positive and supportive, the actions displayed by the government are ones of cultural destruction. Consider the Rio Tinto destruction of the Juukan Gorge, or the VicRoads Western highway plans that run through sacred Djab Wurrung trees, the failure to meet climate emission reduction targets, the discriminatory Northern Territory alcohol laws, or the extensive quantity of police presence at peaceful protests. It’s difficult to see any respect for the country that they are living on and in control of.
Last weeks federal budget shows that Reconciliation Week is a week of words, and is lacking in action. The recent federal budget allocated more handouts to big corporations with more tax cuts, whilst the Indigenous community and organisations are desperately needing this funding. There is a lack of funding to Indigenous legal services, despite the increasing Indigenous incarceration rates. This choice to not fund legal assistance services further prolongs the efforts of Closing the Gap. This budget entrenches the inequalities and injustices of the past, not working towards the future. The budget also failed to extend the Disability Royal Commission and address the huge barriers First Nations peoples with disability face when seeking support.
This years Reconciliation Week – more than a word – demands for real progress on a national effort, and for it to be backed by actions and not words. We want to see an honest, legitimate commitment, and satisfactory funding from the government and all Australians.
Ellie Cahill (she/her) Ally
