Join in and celebrate National Reconciliation Week (NRW) this week! NRW is celebrated annually to build on the respectful relationships shared by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians.
This year’s theme is ‘Let’s Take the Next Steps’, celebrating not just one, but two anniversaries!
The first is 50 years since the 1967 referendum, and the second is 25 years since the historic Mabo decision. The referendum outcome was a moment in history that will be remembered forever, with over 90 per cent of Australians voting to give the Commonwealth the power to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and recognise them in the national census.
On 3 June, 1992 the High Court of Australia made its landmark Mabo decision. It legally recognised that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have a relationship to the land in which they live – a relationship that existed prior to colonisation, which still exists today. This legal recognition paved the way for land rights, otherwise known as Native Title.
Search for an event near you to commemorate these significant milestones in our shared history!
CSU Port Macquarie is also hosting some deadly National Reconciliation events:
Monday 29 May
12pm: Reconciliation Week commencement ceremony followed by lunch and entertainment.
6.30pm: A special screening of Running to America, a documentary that followed the first group of Indigenous Marathon Foundation graduates to compete in the New York Marathon.
Following the documentary there will be a Q&A with Charlie Maher, the first Indigenous Australian man to finish the New York City Marathon, and CSU student Zane Sparke who will run the same marathon in November.
Friday 2 June
Birpai Country Tour with Uncle Bill. The tour will depart from CSU in Port Macquarie at 10:15am, returning at approximately 2pm.
You’ll visit places that are significant to the Birpai people, and hear stories shared by Uncle Bill along the way.
Share how you’re celebrating Reconciliation Week by using the hash tag #NRW2017. For more information on the above events, or to book a place call 02 6582 9300.
Image: reconciliation.org
