Reconciliation News November 2023

The November issue of Reconciliation News celebrates 50 editions of enlivening the reconciliation movement through the power of story-telling. 

With a cover showcasing editions going back to 2005, this issue continues the publication’s tradition of highlighting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander success, and pushing its readership to think, engage and inform themselves for reconciliation. 

Centring the theme of listening, this edition focusses on First Nations people who are making their voices heard for their communities.

Stories include:

  • An intergenerational Yuin choir are raising their voices to revitalise their Dhurga language.
  • The Mibbinbah story shows First Nations communities have the answers if we’re willing to listen.
  • Mayapa Weeyn: how a sculpture is changing how a community talks about its past and future.
  • Noongar woman, linguist Denise Smith-Ali OAM is on a lifelong mission to revitalise her Noongar language.
  • A team of academics worked with community to explore how Gurindji sign language, Takataka, is used and adapted to meet changing needs.
  • Mundanara Bayles, Supply Nation’s Indigenous Businesswoman of the Year, talks legacy, success and First Nations stories.

This edition also incluces reflections on the Voice to Parliament referendum and campaign, including Thomas Mayo on what comes next after the Voice; the future of the RAP program; and CEO of Reconciliation Australia Karen Mundine’s actions for supporters to continue the momentum.

Reconciliation News November 2023 

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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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