2021 State of Reconciliation in Australia

Summary

This report draws on the views of key leaders of First Nations organisations and communities, and other key RA stakeholders; a series of practical examples of reconciliation in action; data from the Australian Reconciliation Barometer and desktop research undertaken by Reconciliation Australia.

It tracks our progress against the five dimensions of reconciliation and lays out some practical actions that need to be taken if we are to continue to progress the reconciliation process.

This report shows that in 2021:

  • Ninety-five per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and 91% of Australians in the general community feel our relationship is important
  • 93% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and 89% of Australians in the general community supporting formal truth-telling processes in relation to Australia’s shared history
  • Most of us also believe that education about our shared past is critical, with 83% of the general community and 91% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people agreeing that it’s important for Indigenous histories and cultures to be taught in schools.
State of Reconciliation 2021 Summary Report cover

2021 State of Reconciliation in Australia, summary report File size: 2 MB

2021 State of Reconciliation in Australia full report cover

2021 State of Reconciliation in Australia, full report File size: 3 MB

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Paul House with gum leaves and smoke
Paul Girrawah House

Paul Girrawah House has multiple First Nation ancestries from the South-East Canberra region, including the Ngambri-Ngurmal (Walgalu), Pajong (Gundungurra), Wallabollooa (Ngunnawal) and Erambie/Brungle (Wiradyuri) family groups.

Paul acknowledges his diverse First Nation history, he particularly identifies as a descendant of Onyong aka Jindoomang from Weereewaa (Lake George) and Henry ‘Black Harry’ Williams from Namadgi who were both multilingual, essentially Walgalu-Ngunnawal-Wiradjuri speaking warriors and Ngunnawal–Wallaballooa man William Lane aka ‘Billy the Bull’ - Murrjinille.

Paul was born at the old Canberra hospital in the centre of his ancestral country and strongly acknowledges his First Nation matriarch ancestors, in particular his mother Dr Aunty Matilda House-Williams and grandmother, Ms Pearl Simpson-Wedge.

Paul completed a Bachelor of Community Management from Macquarie University, and Graduate Certificate in Wiradjuri Language, Culture and Heritage and Management from CSU.

Paul provided the Welcome to Country for the 47th Opening of Federal Parliament in 2022. Paul is Board Director, Ngambri Local Aboriginal Land Council, Member Indigenous Reference Group, National Museum of Australia and Australian Government Voice Referendum Engagement Group.  

Paul works on country with the ANU, First Nations Portfolio as a Senior Community Engagement Officer

Acknowledgement of Country

Reconciliation Australia acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing  connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that this website contains images or names of people who have passed away.

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