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| Reconciliation Week | |
|---|---|
| Name | Reconciliation Week |
| Type | observance |
| Observedby | Australia |
| Date | 27 May–3 June |
| Frequency | annual |
Reconciliation Week Reconciliation Week is an annual observance in Australia held from 27 May to 3 June that promotes dialogue between Indigenous Australians and non‑Indigenous Australians; it connects historical milestones such as 1967 Australian referendum, Mabo v Queensland (No 2), Native Title Act 1993 with contemporary initiatives by bodies like the Australian Human Rights Commission, Reconciliation Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission and institutions including the National Museum of Australia and the Australian National University. The week links commemorations of events such as the 1967 Australian referendum and the High Court of Australia decisions with projects by organizations such as the Australian Council of Trade Unions, Australian Labor Party, Liberal Party of Australia, Australian Greens and civic actors including the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples.
Reconciliation Week frames public discussion around recognition, rights and relationships between communities represented by entities like the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, Land Rights movement, Aboriginal Tent Embassy, Indigenous Land Corporation and cultural institutions including the Art Gallery of New South Wales, National Gallery of Victoria, State Library of New South Wales and Powerhouse Museum. Major participants include local councils such as the City of Sydney, state bodies like the New South Wales Government, Victorian Government and federal agencies such as the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, with national campaigns supported by media organizations such as the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, SBS Television and newspapers like The Australian and The Sydney Morning Herald.
Origins of the week trace to earlier campaigns and legal milestones—campaigns by activists linked with the Aboriginal Tent Embassy and leaders such as Eddie Mabo, Faith Bandler, Gough Whitlam, Vincent Lingiari, Charles Perkins—and to policy responses including the 1967 Australian referendum and the establishment of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation. Institutional evolution involved reports and inquiries like the Bringing Them Home report and legal rulings exemplified by the Mabo v Queensland (No 2) decision and later legislative responses such as the Native Title Act 1993. International contexts include parallels with events like the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (South Africa) and treaties such as the Treaty of Waitangi influencing debates in Australia involving groups like the Uluru Statement from the Heart proponents and critics including figures associated with the Institute of Public Affairs.
Central themes include recognition, treaty, truth and justice advanced by movements associated with the Uluru Statement from the Heart, calls for a First Nations Voice to Parliament and dialogues involving political figures from parties such as the Australian Labor Party, Liberal Party of Australia and Australian Greens. Cultural recognition draws on artists and institutions like Blinky Bill creators' contemporaries, creators represented in exhibitions at the National Gallery of Australia and storytellers including Oodgeroo Noonuccal, David Unaipon, Amanda McKenzie and performers connected to festivals like the Sydney Festival and Melbourne International Arts Festival. Academic engagement includes scholarship from universities such as the University of Melbourne, Monash University, University of Sydney and research centres like the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies and the Lowitja Institute.
Events across the week include ceremonies, forums, exhibitions and performances organized by organizations such as Reconciliation Australia, Australian Council of Social Service, Settlement Services International and cultural venues including the Sydney Opera House, Melbourne Recital Centre and local Aboriginal cultural centres like the Koorie Heritage Trust. Programmes often feature keynote speakers drawn from leaders such as Marcia Langton, Lowitja O'Donoghue, Ngo Dinh Diem—and community artists, school curricula developed with the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority, community workshops run by Save the Children partners, corporate partnerships with companies like BHP, Commonwealth Bank and sporting events supported by bodies such as Australian Football League and National Rugby League.
Federal and state involvement manifests through policy statements and funding streams from agencies including the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, state departments like the New South Wales Department of Education, municipal councils such as the City of Melbourne and statutory bodies like the Australian Human Rights Commission. Parliamentary engagement includes debates in the Parliament of Australia and initiatives by ministers from administrations led by prime ministers such as Paul Keating, John Howard, Julia Gillard, Kevin Rudd and Anthony Albanese, while institutions such as the High Court of Australia and commissions like the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody have shaped the legal and policy backdrop.
Reception ranges from broad civic endorsement by trade unions such as the Australian Council of Trade Unions and educational institutions like Australian National University to critique from commentators aligned with think tanks such as the Institute of Public Affairs and political actors within parties like the Liberal Party of Australia. Debates address efficacy and symbolism with voices including community leaders like Noel Pearson, legal scholars from universities such as the University of Queensland and public intellectuals featured in outlets like The Australian Financial Review and The Conversation; critics also reference international experiences like the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (Canada) and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (South Africa).
Related commemorations and observances include National Sorry Day, NAIDOC Week, Mabo Day, Harmony Day (Australia), National Close the Gap Day and global observances such as International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples and comparisons with processes like the Treaty of Waitangi discussions in Aotearoa New Zealand and reconciliation efforts associated with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (South Africa).
Category:Observances in Australia