Each year, National Reconciliation Week celebrates and builds on the respectful relationships shared by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians.
This year marks two important anniversaries:
- 27 May, the 50th anniversary of the 1967 Referendum on voting rights
- 3 June, the 25th aniiversary of the High Court Mabo judgement.
The 1967 referendum altered the Australian Constitution. More than 90 per cent of Australian voters chose to count Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the census and give the Australian Government the power to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
In 1992 the High Court legally recognised that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have a special relationship to the land — a relationship that existed prior to colonalisation and still exists today. This recognition paved the way for land rights or Native Title.
Lets take the next steps
The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2017 is "Let’s take the next steps". As part of the national week of celebration, reflection and activities, we are invited to reflect on these two momentous events and join together in the next stage of our nation’s reconciliation story. We can reflect on our shared histories and how we can contribute to reconciliation.
Learn more at www.reconciliation.org.au
