National Reconciliation Week — a brief history
Initially debuting in 1993 as the ‘Week of Prayer for Reconciliation’, the first NRW was launched by the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation in 1996. By the year 2001, reconciliation and NRW was well established and that very year, approximately 300,000 people walked across Sydney Harbour Bridge to show their support for reconciliation. Today, NRW is celebrated by businesses, schools and early learning centres, organisations, and individuals Australia-wide.
The dates for NRW are the same each year; 27 May to 3 June. These two dates represent two major milestones in the reconciliation journey:
- 27 May 1967: On this day, Australia’s most successful referendum saw more than 90 per cent of Australians vote to give the Australian Government power to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and recognise them in the Census.
- 3 June 1992: The Australian High Court recognised Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as traditional owners and custodians of their lands.
What is Reconciliation?
Reconciliation is about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples, for the benefit of all Australians. To walk together as one community and embrace First Nations cultural throughout our everyday life. In a reconciled Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children would have the same life chances and choices as non-Indigenous children, and the length and quality of a person’s life will not be determined by their racial background.
Reconciliation Australia’s version of reconciliation is based around five key dimensions:
- Race Relations
- Equality and Equity
- Institutional Integrity
- Unity
- Historical Acceptance
If Australia is to achieve reconciliation, these five points must not exist in isolation. Instead, they need to be weaved together as one single issue and Australians need to continue to build a positive relationship with one another.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and social & mental wellbeing
To understand and strive for reconciliation, it’s important to understand the impacts past historical events have had on the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and how it continues to affect their lives today.
A report in 2014 found “dramatic” increases in Aboriginal rates of youth suicide, anxiety and depression, as well as cognitive disability and mental health among offenders, and perinatal mental health. A 2020 report has subsequently found that Aboriginal people experience depression (52%) and anxiety (59%) at much higher levels than non-Aboriginal Australians (32% and 47%). The health inequities continue, and our national ‘Closing the Gap’ targets are not being met in many areas and, in some cases, are widening. Chronic illness plagues communities and people are dying from preventable diseases.
There are many reasons for this, ranging from widespread grief and unresolved trauma to ongoing discrimination and limited economic opportunities. But solving these can have an impact on other areas where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are also at a disadvantage in society. For example, in 2017, the overall attendance rate for Indigenous students nationally was 83.2 per cent, compared with 93.0 per cent for non-Indigenous students.
This is then having knock-on effects that continues into adulthood. Employment rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are also still lagging behind the rest of Australia, as are reading and numeracy statistics. Indigenous prisoners represent 27% of the total full-time adult prisoner population, whilst accounting for approximately 2% of the total Australian population aged 18 years and over. Incredibly, in 2008, almost half of Indigenous males (48%) and 21% of females aged 15 years or over had been formally charged by police over their lifetime.
National Reconciliation Week 2022
While the reason behind the week remains the same, every year NRW is centred around a slightly different theme. This year’s theme is: “Be Brave. Make Change.” It is a challenge to all Australians— individuals, families, communities, organisations and government—to Be Brave and tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation so we can Make Change for the benefit of all Australians.
Reconciliation Australia is encouraging all Australians to take action; not just in National Reconciliation Week but every week of the year.
Every year workplaces, schools, early learning services, community groups, reconciliation groups, and people right across the country host a whole range of events. To incorporate First Nations language, culture and actively participate in events such as NRW, NAIDOC and Closing the Gap can provide an opportunity for organisations and communities to demonstrate their unconditional support and dedication toward true meaningful healing.
Click here to find out what is happening near you.
Converge care and specialist helpline
At Converge, we understand that people face many challenges in their lives and that, sometimes, require specialised support. This is why, if your organisation is in partnership with us, you may have access to specialist support (available during business hours) in addition to your existing Employee Assistance Program services. You may even have access to our specialist First Nations Helpline — check with your employer.
Our experienced consultants are either Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders themselves or have undertaken specialist training in cultural awareness. We provide a safe space for you to talk to someone who can empathise with your issues and provide support. Our services have been developed by First Nations consultants to provide culturally safe, secure, culturally responsible and deliver professional support.
