National Reconciliation Week
National Reconciliation Week celebrates achievements in Australia’s journey towards reconciliation, with hundreds of events held nationwide.
Held annually from 27 May to 3 June, NRW is bookended by important milestones: the 1967 referendum and the Mabo decision. In 2017, these milestones mark significant anniversaries: 50 years since the 1967 referendum, and 25 years since the Mabo decision.
The Salvation Army has made a formal commitment to reconciliation through its Reconciliation Action Plan. The plan pledges to “Celebrate National Reconciliation Week by providing opportunities for ministry workers, employees and volunteers to participate in events or host events to build relationships.”
There are many ways your expression can get involved in National Reconciliation Week. Some ideas include:
- Invite local traditional owners and/or elders in your area to a morning tea acknowledging reconciliation.
- Invite an Indigenous guest speaker to discuss the National Reconciliation Week themes.
- Host lunchtime sessions showing documentaries on the 1967 Referendum or Mabo decision for staff and volunteers to participate in.
- Contact your local Indigenous community organisation to see if there are events being held in your area and see how your expression can participate.