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Issue no. 44 / October 2020
RECONCILIATION RECAP SIX MONTHS IN REVIEW Reconciliation Australia was ready to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the 2000 Bridge Walks for Reconciliation during this year’s National Reconciliation Week (NRW) 2020. However, COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns forced a complete rethink of all the planned national events. Despite these setbacks, NRW 2020 was one of the most successful to date, with huge support for online events such as the virtual Acknowledgements of Country, panel, and concert, and record numbers participating in online Reconciliation Film Club. This year’s NRW showed that, even in a changing world, engagement with reconciliation is still a priority.
27 May – 3 June 2020 National Reconciliation Week
June 2020
Black Lives Matter
Following the death of African American man George Floyd, protests across the United States inspired tens of thousands of Australians to march in cities and regional areas across the country, bringing many entrenched injustices against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples back into the spotlight. These included disproportionate incarceration rates and police brutality. Many activists pointed to the over 430 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander deaths in custody since the findings of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, handed down in 1991. Marches featured prominent speakers, candlelight vigils, and moments of silence. During this period widespread examples of institutional racism in Australia were exposed and debated. Sydney’s Black Lives Matter march. Photo: Jake Lloyd Jones
Go to nrw.reconciliation.org.au to learn more. In Concert Together was a deadly hour of music held on 29 May 2020. Photo: Busby Marou
5 June 2020
Reconciliation Victoria HART Awards
Reconciliation Victoria’s HART Awards recognise local governments and community organisations that are Helping Achieve Reconciliation Together—First Nations and nonIndigenous peoples working together to build relationships, respect and understanding and which demonstrate a commitment to First Nations self-determination. This year’s 17 finalists showcased the diversity and strength of reconciliation activities across the state—including education initiatives, cultural markers, forums, cultural events and resource development. Winners included Mildura Regional City Council, Balnarring Preschool, and Lord Somers Camp and Power House. Reconciliation Victoria Co-Chair Michelle Isles said she “applauded each of these initiatives for the exciting grassroots change they are creating and hope they inspire others to get involved – because reconciliation is everybody’s business.” Go to reconciliationvic.org.au to find out more. Mildura Corroboree, winner of the HART Awards Local Government category. Photo: Reconciliation Victoria
