Achieving a reconciled and more just Australia requires all of us to commit to reconciliation every day of every week not just National Reconciliation Week.
Take All In with you for the rest of this year and keep building on the good work you started in May.
Reconciliation is an ongoing commitment, and our everyday actions matter.
These actions are a starting point for how we can continue to be All In for reconciliation, all year round.
1 – Know where you stand
No matter where you are in Australia, you live, work and play on the lands of First Nations peoples. Knowing whose Country you’re on is a starting point but being All In means going further. Learn about the Traditional Owners of Country, their ongoing connection to land and waters, and histories of dispossession and resistance that have shaped those lands.
All In actions:
- Know whose Country you are on – resources like the AIATSIS Map of Indigenous Australia are a useful starting point.
- Understand the differences between an Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country, and why they are important.
- Educate yourself about the details and history of First Nations Land Rights and Native Title in Australia and support or join land justice efforts and advocacy near you.
- Learn more about ongoing Treaty processes.
- Support First Nations-led efforts to protect Country and culture.
Ask yourself: What does my connection to this land ask of me?
2 – Learn the truth
Australia’s true history is a shared history that has long been hidden from us. Understanding colonisation, dispossession, resistance and the ongoing impacts of racist policies is essential to understanding the Australia we live in today.
All In actions:
- Learn more about the history of your local area and the experiences of the First Nations peoples whose land you’re on.
- Seek out books, films, podcasts, exhibitions or other sources by First Nations storytellers that share perspectives that may be new to you.
- Get involved in truth-telling processes that are happening around the country – from formal state or territory initiatives to events and activities in your community.
- Explore Reconciliation Australia’s Community Truth-telling Pathways resources for more information about truth-telling – how to get involved and how to access practical support for community-led activities.
Ask yourself: Whose version of Australian history did I learn, and whose stories were missing?
3 – Support self-determination
Reconciliation demands more than just hearing First Nations voices, it requires acting on them. True change happens only when we respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ right to determine their priorities, futures and solutions.
All In actions:
- Look for opportunities to back First Nations leadership in your workplace, community or school.
- When working on an issue, policy or lesson plan, consider whether decisions are being made with First Nations peoples or for them.
- Learn about the principles of self-determination and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
- Understand the strengths in First Nations community control in governing, education and health.
- Support and promote community-controlled and Indigenous governed organisations.
Ask yourself: Am I listening to what First Nations peoples want, or am I deciding what I think is best?
4 – Stand up against racism
For many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, racism is an everyday reality, and experiences of racism remain consistently and unacceptably high. Not being racist isn’t enough, being All In means being actively anti-racist every day to build positive two-way relationships founded on trust and respect.
All In actions:
- Call out racist comments or harmful stereotypes wherever you encounter them.
- Educate yourself on how to respond to racism in safe and effective ways.
- Ask the hard questions to better understand how racism exists in your life and the world around you.
- Support Anti Racism Campaigns and initiatives around you.
- Back calls for the full implementation of The National Anti-Racism Framework.
- Ensure there are clear steps for reporting experiences of racism at your work or school, and if there aren’t, consider how you could support the creation of these systems.
Ask yourself: If someone at work, school or in my community experienced racism, would they know they would be supported?
5 – Make reconciliation everyone’s business
Reconciliation is not the responsibility of one person, team or organisation. We all have a role to play and we all have influence in the places we live, work and participate. Being All In means recognising where you can make a difference and using your influence to create meaningful change.
All In actions:
- Consider what conversations could spark further action or what processes you could change. This could be through your relationships with friends, family members, colleagues, social media followers, or even your sporting club teammates.
- Learn more about your workplace RAP’s commitments. You could also work at or be connected to a school or early learning service with a RAP; consider how you could contribute to these commitments. If a RAP doesn’t exist, consider starting the process.
- Ask leaders in your work, school or community what they are doing to advance reconciliation and First Nations justice.
- Get involved in reconciliation activities in and around your community.
- Plan for NRW. The week is a great jumping off point to learn more about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. In the lead up to the week, scope out events you’d want to join or plan to host your own.
Ask yourself: Where do I have influence, and how am I using it?
This article is from the 56th edition of Reconciliation News. Read the rest of the issue.
