Reconciliation Week is almost here. This is how you can take part

Australia Broadcast Center

25-05-2025

Every year National Reconciliation Week starts on May 27 and runs until June 3.
"Reconciliation is everyone's business, every day of the year," says Karen Mundine, a Bundjalung woman and the CEO of Reconciliation Australia.
"But [Reconciliation] Week in particular is a chance for all Australians to get involved."
Reconciliation is "about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples," according to Reconciliation Australia.
The theme for 2025 is 'Bridging Now to Next', prompting Australians to look ahead and continue to push forward towards a more united and respectful nation, with past lessons as guidance.
Here's how you can get involved at home, in your community and workplace.
The week begins after National Sorry Day and marks the anniversary of the 1967 referendum, held on May 27, where Australians voted to change how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were referred to in the constitution.
It concludes with another anniversary, with June 3, 1992 marking the Mabo decision, where a High Court ruling overturned the legal concept of terra nullius — that land was owned by no-one prior to white settlement.
Ms Mundine recommends checking if local First Nations organisations are hosting events, such as open days.
"Cultural tours of your town or city are also a great way to learn more about the Country you're on and its rich history."
Gunditjmara woman Catherine Coysh is the program manager of On-Country Pathways and says "the best way to get to know Aboriginal culture is to seek it from your local Aboriginal community and make genuine relationships."
The National Reconciliation Week calendar can help you find events and activities near you.
For groups, Ms Mundine recommends checking out the Reconciliation Film Club, which helps members of the community screen documentaries by First Nations filmmakers. The club can provide access to a recommended film with a fee going directly to the producers of the documentary.
For smaller groups or going solo, picking up a book from a First Nations author can "broaden perspectives and understanding".
Carly Bush, the CEO of Reconciliation NSW says this also applies to podcasts and social media.
"Doing some of your own personal learning is always the best place to start."
"I look at [Reconciliation Week] as an opportunity to reflect on the history of the country and also around genuine engagement and working and talking to First Nations people," says Christian Lugnan, a Gumbaynggirr and Dhanggati Goori man and deputy CEO of Children's Ground.
From a business or corporate perspective, Mr Lugnan says to consider how you engage with community. For instance, "do you understand the location [and] the history of the location where you're operating from?"
This can also extend to whether you provide employment and training opportunities and if there are First Nations businesses in your supply chains.
Mr Lugnan also encourages businesses to consider developing a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) if they haven't got one.
For ones that do, Ms Bush from Reconciliation NSW says it may be an opportunity for the business to review and discuss the commitments made. She says to be mindful of where the cultural load is falling.
Ms Coysh says there "needs to be an ongoing commitment to cultural safety" in workplaces. Cultural safety is something she helps businesses that partner with On-Country Pathways with.
It includes being aware of unconscious bias, and not challenging someone's cultural identity, which can leave them feeling unwelcome or unsafe, she says.
Mr Lugnan says to be mindful that Reconciliation Week can be a difficult time for First Nations people because there can be an increase in negative commentary online.
Mr Lugnan also suggests taking genuine interest in community, elders and learning some local language.
"When you're speaking the language of a particular Country, the Country is listening and … when you're speaking the language you're respecting the ancestors from that Country.
"Local people feel and hear that," he says.
Underlying all the ways to be involved in Reconciliation Week, Ms Mundine says is "knowing where you stand".
"Ask yourself: Whose Country am I on? What's the shared history of this place and what is my community's relationship to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples?"
Ms Mundine says you can get involved by speaking up "if you hear something ignorant, hurtful or wrong".
"Commit to being actively anti-racist and ask yourself the hard questions about the role and impact of racism in our society."
For people looking to do or learn more beyond the week, there are a range of resources Reconciliation Australia suggests.
For example, Ms Mundine says to "read, watch or listen to First Nations media" or to refer to the Australian Museum resources to learn more about Australia's frontier wars.#newsletter:abc-life_optin