Highlights
- The theme of National Reconciliation Week 2022 is 'Be Brave. Make Change'.
- Reconciliation Australia and FECCA encourage migrant communities to engage with the reconciliation process during NRW and beyond.
- You can find events across the country and list your own events on the National Reconciliation Week events calendar
Why do we celebrate National Reconciliation Week?
National Reconciliation Week commemorates the referendum on 27 May 1967 which saw Australians vote overwhelmingly to amend the Constitution. This allowed the Australian Government to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and include them in the Census.
It also commemorates the High Court Mabo decision on 3 June 1992, recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as traditional landowners.
These dates are significant points on the path towards reconciliation.
What is this years’ theme?
The National Reconciliation Week theme for 2022 is Be Brave. Make Change.
'Be Brave. Make Change’ is a challenge to all Australians to address the unfinished business of reconciliation, and to make changes that will benefit us all as a nation.
Reconciliation Australia CEO Karen Mundine, a Bundjalung woman from Northern NSW, says reconciliation is the responsibility of every Australian, and is an active experience.
Source: Reconciliation Australia
“When it comes to NRW it’s just an opportunity for us all to take a moment to think about those relationships, to put a spotlight on them, open up new conversations and encourage all of our communities to get involved in events or take part in activities,” she told SBS Radio.
Migrant engagement with National Reconciliation Week
Mohammad Al-Khafaji, CEO of the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia, calls for all migrants to engage with the reconciliation process.
Drawing on the positive and negative experiences shared by migrant and refugee communities and our First Nations People is a good place to start.
“It’s our duty and obligation to know the history, to know what those communities have gone through, because we have similar experiences and similar drivers for change,” says Mr Al-Khafaji.
We both face racism, we both face injustice and we both want equity of access in this country.
Not all migrants may understand the significance of National Reconciliation Week.
Many people don’t know how to have conversations around Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures and histories, or whether it’s their place to engage.
The Encouraging Engagement Guide
In 2020, FECCA produced a guide titled Encouraging Engagement: A Guide for Multicultural Organisations to Engage in Reconciliation.
CEO Mohammad Al-Khafaji says the document provides a starting point for conversations during, and beyond National Reconciliation Week.
There is no right or wrong way and the intent is the important thing here – to try and engage in good faith, to try and learn about each other’s cultures and history and what we need to do as migrants to elevate First Nations voices.
The Encouraging Engagement guide suggests some meaningful activities:
- Develop a Reconciliation Action Plan
- Engage with National Reconciliation Week
- Celebrate NAIDOC Week
- Invite local Indigenous Elders to perform a Welcome to Country ceremony or Smoking Ceremony
- Strive for a culturally competent workplace
FECCA’s Encouraging Engagement guide is available .
Joan Baker watches Kevin Rudd deliver the National Apology to members of the Stolen Generations Source: Kristian Dowling/Getty Images
Everyday bravery
Through this year’s theme, Be Brave. Make Change, Reconciliation Australia is asking everyone to take brave actions in all aspects of their daily lives.
“Maybe it’s time to have a hard conversation with friends and family that don’t share your views on these issues,” says Karen Mundine.
Engaging with National Reconciliation Week can be as simple as updating your social media and email graphics, visiting the website for local activities or accessing the resources that SBS has to offer, such as films or podcasts.
NRW2022 digital resources are available for your desktop, web or socials .
Source: Reconciliation Australia/Tori-Jay Mordey/Carbon Creative