Latest news with #BridgingNowToNext
ABC News
02-06-2025
- General
- ABC News
Aunty Denise Willis guides students through the smoking ceremony at the reconciliation walk.
More than 600 people gathered for the annual reconciliation school walk in Warilla to mark National Reconciliation Week, bringing to life this year's theme: 'Bridging Now to Next'.
SBS Australia
26-05-2025
- Politics
- SBS Australia
What is Reconciliation Week and why are the dates significant?
National Reconciliation Week is held between 27 May and 3 June each year. The start and end dates mark major milestones in First Nations history. 'Bridging Now to Next' is the theme for this year's week. National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for Australians to learn about shared histories, cultures, and achievements. This year's NRW theme of 'Bridging Now to Next' reflects the ongoing connection between past, present and future. NRW is celebrated every year, from 27 May to 3 June, with these dates especially significant for First Nations peoples. These dates "commemorate two significant milestones in our history", according to the CEO of Reconciliation Australia, Karen Mundine. "The successful 1967 referendum, where 90.77 per cent of Australians voted 'yes' for Indigenous rights, and the 1992 High Court Mabo decision, which overturned the lie of terra nullius — that this continent was unoccupied when the British arrived," she told SBS. "Reconciliation is about building and strengthening relationships between First Nations peoples and other Australians, about understanding the true history of Australia's colonisation. "It is about justice for First Nations and a more united Australia that respects 65,000 years of First Nations cultures and achievements." In addition to the significance of the start and end dates for the week, the day before Reconciliation Week, May 26, is National Sorry Day. The day acknowledges the Stolen Generations, who were removed from their families and communities under government policy between 1910 and 1970. Meanwhile, the successful May 27, 1967, referendum led to the changing of two sections of the Australian Constitution. It resulted in the repeal of Section 127, which had excluded Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from Australia's population. The referendum also saw the removal of "other than the Aboriginal race" from Section 51 (xxvi) . This amendment meant states could no longer make policies for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, such as the Aboriginal Protection Acts, which legally allowed the state to remove children. The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody presented its final report to Parliament in 1991. A recommendation of the report was the beginning of a process of national reconciliation. From there, the Parliament passed the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation Act, which established the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation (CAR). Under the legislation, CAR would operate for a decade, under the vision of a "united Australia" that respects the land, "values the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage and provides justice and equity for all". The council hosted 25 members, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous. Former Labor Senator, Yawuru man and the 'Father of Reconciliation' Pat Dodson was the inaugural Chair . In 1997, Indigenous rights activist Dr Evelyn Scott took over the position. In 1993, the first National Week of Prayer for Reconciliation was observed. Three years later, support had expanded so CAR launched the nation's first Reconciliation Week. CAR's final reports to various non-Indigenous leaders including then prime minister John Howard and Governor-General Sir William Deane — The Australian Declaration towards Reconciliation and The Roadmap for Reconciliation — argued a reconciled nation could not be achieved in only a decade. This led to the establishment of the national peak body Reconciliation Australia.
SBS Australia
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- SBS Australia
Bridging now to next: the resilient voices of the Reconciliation Week collection
L-R: Living Black, National Reconciliation Week with Patrick Dodson, Our Medicine and The Point. This year's National Reconciliation Week theme is 'Bridging Now to Next', a call to reflect upon the resilience of First Nations peoples past and the collective strength of First Nations peoples present. It is a time for us all to step forward on the reconciliation journey together, uniting to understand the importance of the past in informing our future. The films and series contained in the Reconciliation Week collection this year reflect upon this theme, showing how one can overcome adversity and come through to the other side stronger than ever before. Living Black , the longest-running Indigenous news and current affairs program on Australian television, marks National Reconciliation Week with a special episode on Monday 26 May at 8.30pm. 25 years on from the remarkable Corroboree 2000 Bridge Walk, Western Arrernte woman, Walkley Award-winning journalist, Executive Producer and host, Karla Grant, interviews attendees from the momentous event to hear how they felt at the time and if they believe reconciliation still stands a chance in Australia. Episode guests include Former Minister for Indigenous Australians, Hon. Linda Burney and CEO of Reconciliation Australia, Karen Mundine. Living Black: Unfinished Business – Corroboree 2000 (series 32 episode 6) premieres Monday 26 May on NITV and SBS On Demand at 8.30pm. Live from Fremantle Passenger Terminal, WA, Yawuru elder, Patrick Dodson , also known as the Father of Reconciliation', along with next-generation leader Tremane Baxter-Edwards , deliver a Reconciliation keynote. At a time when Australia faces uncertainty in its reconciliation journey, this keynote calls on all Australians to step forward together to build a more united and respectful nation. Together, Dodson and Baxter-Edwards embody cross-generational First Nations leadership, with their voices reflecting the strength, wisdom and hope to carry the reconciliation movement forward, following the theme 'Bridging Now to Next'. National Reconciliation Week featuring Patrick Dodson premieres Tuesday 27 May at 11am (AEST) on NITV and SBS On Demand. National Reconciliation Week Featuring Patrick Dodson Taking viewers behind the frontline of Australia's strained medical services, six-part series Our Medicine shines an important light on First Nations professionals working to achieve better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and communities. Narrated by popular actress Leah Purcell AM , Our Medicine follows First Nations doctors, nurses, paramedics, traditional healers and other medical professionals in their day-to-day challenges as they support patients on their journey through the system. Our Medicine premieres Thursday 29 May on NITV and SBS On Demand, with weekly double episodes. Episodes air weekly at NITV starting Thursday 29 May at 7.30pm. In one of Australia's most potent stories, Namatjira Project traces the life and works of Albert Namatjira, a renowned Arrernte painter from the MacDonnell Ranges in Central Australia. Namatjira gave many Australians their first glimpses into the outback heart of the country and was widely celebrated, exhibited globally, and introduced to Queen Elizabeth. However, in 1957 he was falsely imprisoned, and in 1959 he died. By 1983 the Government sold the copyright to his artworks to an art dealer, and today, Namatjira's family fight for survival, justice and to regain their grandfather's copyright. Namatjira Project illuminates the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people today, in Australia and globally. Namatjira Project will air 8pm Wednesday 29 May on NITV and is streaming now at SBS On Demand. National Indigenous Television's (NITV) flagship news and current affairs program, The Point, returns for its tenth season on Tuesday 3 June at 7.30pm on NITV and SBS On Demand, and on SBS following World News Late. Each week, host John Paul Janke, a proud Wuthathi and Meriam man, joins expert panellists, community leaders and decision makers to explore issues that matter most to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Now marking a decade on air, The Point continues to bring Indigenous perspectives to the centre of national conversations, platforming diverse perspectives from across the continent. This season features one-hour, issues-based panel shows, alternating between episodes filmed in community and in-studio on Cammeraygal Land in Sydney. The series remains a leading source of original journalism and breaking news. This year, The Point will once again travel across the country to engage local communities and explore real solutions for the future. Locations include Hobart (nipaluna), Darwin (Garramilla), Cherbourg (Barambah), the Torres Strait Islands (Zenadth Kes), and Melbourne (Naarm). The Point premieres weekly from Tuesday 3 June at 7.30pm on NITV, and encores on SBS after SBS World News Late . It will also be available to stream free on SBS On Demand, with captions in English and subtitles in Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese. In a changing climate, this powerful documentary, draws on some 65 thousand years of Indigenous knowledge, to help us better prepare for the future. The 30-minute documentary follows First Nations land practitioners as they answer questions from younger generations on how to care for Country. Drawing on roughly 65,000 years of wisdom on Indigenous practices around fire, flood and heat management, these experts explore ways that we can better prepare Australia for extreme weather. The Knowledge Keepers is currently available to stream on SBS On Demand. Explore more in the RECONCILIATION WEEK COLLECTION at SBS On Demand. Share this with family and friends SBS's award winning companion podcast. Join host Yumi Stynes for Seen, a new SBS podcast about cultural creatives who have risen to excellence despite a role-model vacuum.
ABC News
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Reconciliation Week is almost here. This is how you can take part
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
