National Reconciliation Week takes place each year from 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.
It originally started as the Week of Prayer for Reconciliation in 1993 and was supported by Australia’s major faith communities.
Now, National Reconciliation Week is recognised across the nation.
The theme for 2023 is ‘Be a Voice for Generations’. It calls for all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives – where we live, work, and socialise.
National Reconciliation Week encourages us all to play our part in building relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures, and futures.
A chance to reflect
Our Director of Reconciliation Auntie Di Langham (pictured, right) says National Reconciliation Week is a time to reflect and share stories with the younger generation.
“Reconciliation Week for me is a chance to remember a lot of my family,” she says.
“It’s also a chance to reminisce about what has happened, tell our children, and start truth-telling with the general public.
“It gives us that open space to be able to do that just for that one week. Other times it can be more difficult to share your story.”
Visit Reconciliation Australia’s website to learn more about the history of National Reconciliation Week.