‘Reconciliation is everyone’s business’

TODAY marks the conclusion of 2021’s National Reconciliation Week, which has offered the theme, ‘more than a word, reconciliation takes action.’

The annual event, driven by Reconciliation Australia, is held to remind broader Australians of their responsibility to hear, see, respect and understand the experiences, stories and histories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the country works towards reconciliation with First Nations community members.

Locally, the City of Ballarat recognised the launch of the week on Thursday, 27 May with a ceremonial raising of the Aboriginal Flag opposite Town Hall, and a passionate acknowledgement of country from Yorta Yorta woman and City multicultural ambassador Rachel Muir.

“Reconciliation is everyone’s business,” she said.

“Reconciliation is a journey for all Australians as individuals, families, communities, organisations, and importantly, as a nation.

“We all have a role to play… and in playing our part, we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ culture, history and futures.

“We need more people to speak up, asking the hard questions and taking action during and beyond Reconciliation Week, such as, moving from being allies to being an accomplice, disrupting the status quo, calling out racism… and getting to know your local history, marred by massacres, forced removals and cultural genocides.”

Ms Muir encouraged residents to look more deeply at the meanings behind their local place names, and whether these titles recognise and memorialise leaders of colonisation who committed crimes against First Nations Peoples.

“Start a community conversation about renaming places. Dana Street, for example, is named after the commander of native police. It’s a shameful name for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” she said.

“Create culturally safe places. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people don’t always feel safe or welcome, and have been historically excluded from many places.”

Ms Muir urged workplaces to establish Reconciliation Action Plans, for employees to join RAP working committees, and for schools to ensure children learn the histories of First Nations Peoples within their curriculum.

Find out more about Reconciliation Australia’s NRW initiatives at nrw.reconciliation.org.au.