Latest news with #ReconciliationWA
West Australian
2 days ago
- Politics
- West Australian
Young people at Banksia Hill invite ‘outside-in' for first-of-its kind Reconciliation Week event
Young people in youth detention at Banksia Hill Detention Centre invited the 'outside-in' for a first-of-its-kind National Reconciliation Week event. The Department of Justice's event, Benang Moorditjabiny — Becoming Stronger for Tomorrow — featured reconciliation messages from Government and non-government representatives, cultural dance performances and a group yarning session. Ninety guests attended, including former Senator Patrick Dodson, Attorney General Tony Buti, Minister for Corrective Services Paul Papalia, Elders and community leaders from across the State. Mr Dodson — the father of reconciliation — said it was 'a great initiative'. 'The fact that the people in here, the young fellas and the young people inside, wanted to see and invited people from outside to come in, that to me is a great initiative and a great compliment to them, but also a compliment to the authorities for enabling that to happen,' he said. Banksia Hill's 'outside in' event showed what can be done when people are serious about reconciliation, and what can happened when people come together for a common purpose. 'This helps both parties, the young kids, the people that work with them and gives everyone a sense that we are able to not only help people when they're here, but to hopefully put the onus back on the communities to make sure that they don't come back here,' Mr Dodson said. 'There's a lot of hope that, working together, we can make life better, not only for the young people, but for the people that work in these places. We sometimes don't see, but there are real possibilities, and real values in doing some of the things they might have to do.' Department of Justice Director General Kylie Maj said it was a 'first of its kind' event. 'We listened when young people told us they would like 'to bring the outside world in' to celebrate National Reconciliation Week,' Ms Maj said. 'Here at Banksia Hill, it's evident we are taking significant steps to improve outcomes for young people, alongside Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, including the introduction of important programs and supports.' Reconciliation WA's engagement with students at Banksia Hill focused on ways to encourage young people to find and use their voices and take part in ongoing conversations about reconciliation and their futures. Young people at Banksia Hill were involved in event planning and delivery and were supported by the Corrective Services' Aboriginal Services team and the Aboriginal Justice Transformation unit. Despite the 'marvellous achievements' of the Banksia Hill event, Mr Dodson believes a lot of work still needs to be done nationally. 'There's a bit more enlightenment in some of our jurisdictions that need to take place, and they better get on with it and make the changes to make things improve for the young people,' he said. 'For our communities, we've got to keep their young people out of harm and out of the attention of the police, which bring them into these places through the courts.' The event was hosted in partnership with Reconciliation WA.
West Australian
7 days ago
- Politics
- West Australian
National Reconciliation Week to highlight powerful call for unity and action in the Pilbara
The Pilbara is joining communities across Australia in a powerful reflection on the nation's past and a united push toward a more inclusive future, during National Reconciliation Week. Speaking with the North West Telegraph, Reconciliation WA chief executive Jody Nunn highlighted the importance of this year's theme: Bridging Now to Next. 'This year's theme really plays into where we're at now, where we just had a State and Federal election and I think what Australians voted for was unity over division, primarily,' she said. 'We've got to think about things differently and really challenge how we go about it, and of course, from a reconciliation perspective, we strongly advocate for Aboriginal people to be at the heart of decision-making. 'In the Pilbara, of all places, how is it that in 2025, we have Save the Children and 54 Reasons working on the ground, in one of the most prosperous areas in the world. 'We've got to ask ourselves some pretty tough questions as we face forward, and how do we create equity and equality for First Nations people and Torres Strait Islander people.' The Pilbara's legacy of resistance and resilience adds even greater depth to the region's role in Reconciliation Week. It was here, in 1946, that 800 Aboriginal workers staged the first organised industrial strike since colonisation, challenging decades of indentured labour and demanding fair treatment. 'When we look at the closing the gap statistics, they're not moving even remotely in the direction where we need them to move,' Ms Nunn said. 'But we've also got some really amazing success stories; the Pilbara is one of those. 'There are a range of programs led by Aboriginal organisations, which are fantastic and real examples of how people can stay on country and continue to care for country. 'There is a number of languages that are reawakening and that are being handed on to the next generation. 'So we don't want to just look at the deficit, we want to look at the many success stories there are, and there are many in the Pilbara.' Ms Nunn said her hope for reconciliation in the future was for all Australians to understand the country's history. 'We've had to learn a lot of lessons along the way and we have had very tough policies; the 1905 Assimilation Act was one of the toughest policies against Aboriginal people globally, still even to this day. 'We have a history we need to understand and if we understand that, then we can be better for the future. 'Sometimes people feel that it's insurmountable; that there's too many challenges but the whole success of the reconciliation model is based on having lots of people nudging the agenda forward, not just one or two, but that a community that cares broadly.' In Newman, a live stream of the Reconciliation WA Virtual Breakfast from Boorloo Perth will be held on May 27, as well as local activities and guest speakers. In Port Hedland, there will be a range of free events and activities, including Indigenous Australians' arts and crafts, a traditional Aboriginal dance workshop and an evening of music under the stars with multi-award-winning artists Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse on Friday, May 30 at the JD Hardie Youth and Community Hub. For more information on National Reconciliation Week, head to .
West Australian
7 days ago
- Politics
- West Australian
Reconciliation Week 2025: Powerful call for unity and action in the Pilbara
As National Reconciliation Week begins, the Pilbara region is joining communities across Australia in reflecting onour shared history —and building a more inclusive future. The 2025 theme, Bridging Now to Next, couldn't be more timely according to Reconciliation WA chief executive officer Jody Nunn. 'This year's theme really plays into where we're at now, where we just had State and Federal elections and I think what Australians voted for was unity over division, primarily,' she said. 'We've got to think about things differently and really challenge how we go about it, and of course, from a reconciliation perspective, we strongly advocate for Aboriginal people to be at the heart of decision-making. 'In the Pilbara, of all places, how is it that in 2025, we have Save the Children and 54 Reasons working on the ground, in one of the most prosperous areas in the world. 'We have to ask ourselves some pretty tough questions as we face forward, and how do we create equity and equality for First Nations people and Torres Strait Islander people.' The Pilbara's legacy of resistance and resilience adds even greater depth to the region's role in Reconciliation Week. It was here, in 1946, that 800 Aboriginal workers staged the first organised industrial strike since colonisation, challenging decades of indentured labour and demanding fair treatment. 'When we look at the Closing the Gap statistics, they're not moving even remotely in the direction where we need them to move,' Ms Nunn said. 'But we've also got some really amazing success stories; the Pilbara is one of those. 'There are a range of programs led by Aboriginal organisations, which are fantastic and real examples of how people can stay on country and continue to care for country. 'There is a number of languages that are reawakening and that are being handed on to the next generation. 'So we don't want to just look at the deficit, we want to look at the many success stories there are, and there are many in Pilbara.' Ms Nunn said her hope for reconciliation in the future was for all Australians to understand the country's history. 'We've had to learn a lot of lessons along the way and we have had very tough policies; the 1905 Assimilation Act was one of the toughest policies against Aboriginal people globally, still even to this day. 'We have a history we need to understand and if we understand that, then we can be better for the future. 'Sometimes people feel that it's insurmountable; that there's too many challenges but the whole success of the reconciliation model is based on having lots of people nudging the agenda forward, not just one or two, but that a community that cares broadly.' The City of Karratha and local Aboriginal corporations will support 2025 NRW, by hosting a series of free community events from May 27 to June 3; including a National Reconciliation Breakfast at the Red Earth Arts Precinct and a Reconciliation Walk along the Ngurin River Trail. A Reconciliation Week Flickerfest will showcase Indigenous short films on Friday, May 30 in Paraburdoo. Meanwhile, in Tom Price, Perth-based artist Razzy Mak will lead a youth songwriting and social media reel workshop, on May 31. For more information on National Reconciliation Week, head to .
