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Welcome Reconciliation NSW members to our last newsletter for 2021.
Firstly, I want to give a big welcome to the newest member of our growing team, Madeline Gerber, who interned for Reconciliation NSW during her degree at the University of Notre Dame, which she completed last week! Maddie comes to us eager to put her degree in Social Justice, and Politics and International Relations to use. We’re excited to have Maddie come onboard as our new project officer!
In November, our team, as well as two representatives from Local Reconciliation Groups had the opportunity to attend the Australian Reconciliation Convention, where we experienced some truly amazing and inspiring panel sessions. It was important to reflect on where the reconciliation movement has come, hear the work being done currently and think about where we want to be in another 20 years! A big congratulations to the team at Reconciliation Australia for bringing us a fantastic, thought provoking and celebratory event of the work being done right across Australia by so many within the reconciliation movement. Check out the summaries of some of the sessions below.
At our Annual General Meeting, held online on 29 November, we were able to share with members the incredible success our small but dedicated team was able to achieve this year, as well as conduct the election of our board for the 2022 year. Seven of our eight board members were re-elected, and I would like to welcome our new incoming Indigenous board member, Kayla White. Kayla is a Biripi and Worimi woman who works on Dunghutti Country as an award-winning educator. We are excited to have her contribute to our board! We also say farewell to Alison Whittaker, Gomeroi poet and legal researcher at Jumbunna Institute at UTS and thank her for her contributions to our board over the last few years. Check out the highlights in our 2021 Annual Report on our website.
Finally, on behalf of the team here at Reconciliation NSW, I would like to thank our members, partners and supporters for continuing on the reconciliation journey to increase truth, equity and healing.
Our small but dedicated team will take a much needed break, and the RecNSW office will close on 23 December and reopen on 10 January. We wish you and yours a safe, happy and renewing break over the holidays.
In unity,
Tristan Tipps-Webster
CEO, Reconciliation NSW |
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We were pleased to host our AGM online, which reflected on the successes of this year’s progress and growth in the organisation. As we enter our 25th year, we invite you to check out the highlights in our 2021 Annual Report.
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Annie Tennant
Annie is Reconciliation NSW’s non-Indigenous Co-Chair, and brings to the position a wealth of experience and expertise. Annie’s primary expertise lies in urban design, sustainability and public art, whilst developing relationships and projects that celebrate Country. Read more about Annie.
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Australian Reconciliation Convention
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RecNSW was pleased to take part in the Australian Reconciliation Convention over the 15 to 17 of November. Presented by Reconciliation Australia, +1500 people participated online to hear close to 100 speakers, in 30 sessions, over three days. Panel discussions were joined by many inspirational contributors, including the Hon. Linda Burney, Senator Patrick Dodson, Tom Calma and Mick Gooda, as well as a number of inspiring youth voices. The Convention engaged with local, national and international perspectives, reflecting on the past and exploring the future of a just, equitable and reconciled Australia.
Two members from our Local Reconciliation Groups have shared their summaries of some of the sessions. If you would like to know what they heard on various areas of policy, cultural strengths, structural racism, and the future of justice and equity, access the document here. |
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Online Launch of the 2021 Schools Reconciliation Challenge Exhibition and Awards Ceremony
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We conducted this year’s awards ceremony and launch of the exhibition online, where we were able to enjoy a reading from Uncle Bruce Pascoe’s book Young Dark Emu, hear from Ministers Harwin and Mitchell and celebrate all of this year’s finalists, as well as find out who won the People’s Choice Awards! You can watch the full event here.
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Uncle Bruce Pascoe reads about agriculture and traditional fish traps from Young Dark Emu.
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Congratulations to our Co-Chair Josh Gilbert!
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Worimi man and co-chair of Reconciliation NSW Joshua Gilbert has been awarded the 2021 Rising Star Award in the NSW Environment Awards. Nominated by Reconciliation NSW, the award recognises Josh as an outstanding environmentalist aged under 30. The award celebrates Josh’s achievements in campaigning against land clearing legislation, developing the first pro-active climate change policy recognising that farmers are on the frontlines of climate change, his representation of the agricultural sector at the 2015 Paris Climate Change summit, as well as countless achievements in his work as a researcher at UTS and Charles Sturt University. Josh humbly said the award is also a celebration of the work undertaken by Reconciliation NSW.
Have a look at Josh’s TedX Talk ‘Beyond the dream – a story of Indigenous connection’.
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COVID updates fighting misinformation being spread in communities
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We know that many of our members are concerned about the continuing threat of COVID to First Nations communities across Australia. Also of concern is the spread of misinformation as well as some predatory behaviours on some of those communities. In light of circulating rumours, the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Sector has rallied with leaders to deliver messages to assure communities and clarify mistruths being spread by unscrupulous and/or confused people. See one of these messages from from Thomas Mayor (From the Heart) from Larrakia Country, NT. In the age of online misinformation, we remind our members to be vigilant in checking the sources of information.
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Thomas Mayer addresses vaccination and health in NT communities
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Gari Yala (Speak the Truth): Centreing the experiences of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Australians at work
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New research from the Jumbunna Institute has found some telling insights in the experience of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander staff. Out of 1,033 participants in the study, key findings include:
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Unsettled
The Unsettled exhibition at the Australian Museum powerfully tells Australia’s history of invasion, wars and massacres, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples survival throughout and their continued resistance. This free exhibition interrogates the lasting impacts of colonisation and the denial of Indigenous sovereignty.
Unsettled closes on the 27th January 2022, so don’t miss your opportunity to witness this powerful exhibition. The Unsettled program series also returns, so take a look at the new and rescheduled events for an immersive experience in the program. Events include tours, films, workshops, meditation, weaving and much more. |
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Yabun Festival
Coming into the new year, don’t forget to put 2022 Yabun Festival on your calendars for January the 26th, this year celebrating 20 years of Yabun. Yabun celebrates the strengths of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Held on Gadigal land of the Eora nation, this year’s 20th anniversary is set to be a special one, thriving with First Nations music, stalls and businesses, cultural performances, panel discussions and arts. And it’s free! Reconciliation NSW will be holding a stall, so come and say hello.
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Progress on a Voice to Parliament
Coalition sources describe legislation for an Indigenous voice to Parliament as ‘imminent’. At this stage, implementing a Voice to Parliament through legislation is unfortunately more likely than constitutional enshrinement through a referendum as the Uluru Statement calls for, falling short of First Nations demands. In the short time remaining before the election, time to introduce legislation is running out. At the Reconciliation Australia Convention, Wyatt alluded to the potential of constitutional enshrinement in Australia’s Indigenous political future.
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First Nations candidates in NSW council elections
On December 4th’s local council election, there were almost 150 Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people running for council positions across NSW. This holds great potential to further self-determination and protect Country. For greater Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation at local, state and federal government levels, explore the candidates and keep an eye on the results.
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Reconciliation Australia hosts weekly Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) program information webinars. Learn more about the RAP program, including the benefits of having a RAP, the RAP development process, how to get registered, and the RAP development fee.
Where? Online via Zoom.
When? Every Tuesday at 1:00PM. Select a date that works best for you.
Register here.
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Privileging Aboriginal voices in response planning for infectious diseases
This webinar is facilitated by Euahlayi woman Kristy Cooks as she shares her research on developing a process to privilege Aboriginal voices in infectious disease emergency planning and response. Presented by NSW Education Reconciliation Action Plan team and the NSW Aboriginal Consultative Group.
Where? Online
When? Thursday, December 9th 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM AEST
Register here
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Growing culturally inclusive workplaces
The Health Education and Training Institute present the third session in a series of inter-professional education to grow awareness and knowledge of topics to support the wellbeing and of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the workplace. The sessions will increase cultural competency and understanding of the impacts of lateral violence, transgenerational trauma and trauma informed care. Led by speaker Mel Brown, proud Ngunnawal woman who specialises in providing Aboriginal counselling, cultural education, and wellbeing programs for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.
Where? Online via Zoom
When? Tuesday 14th December, 9:30-11:00am AEST
Register here
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Preppers – “Preppers follows Charlie, a young Aboriginal woman who, after suffering her own personal cataclysmic event, finds herself at the centre of a mismatched community of ‘preppers’ planning for the apocalypse at Eden 2.” This cast is joined by some deadly First Nations names in the industry including Jack Charles, Meyne Wyatt and Nakkiah Lui. Streaming now on ABC iview.
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Total Control – The new season of Total Control has Deborah Mailman navigating the all too real modern-day political life for an Aboriginal woman, and the juxtaposition between community responsibilities and Canberra politics.
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Must watch: High Ground
In light of upcoming Survival Day, we all need to be remembering the massacres and frontier wars that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have survived through. High Ground includes a deadly cast of First Nations actors, and tells the true histories of the attempted genocide of First Nations peoples, missionaries, and the systems of racism that has shaped the continent now commonly referred to as Australia.
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Welcome to Our New Member Organisations
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We’re excited for you to meet our newest organisational members!
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Get involved: Growing our Group of Allies
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Can you help grow our circle of allies? Ask a friend or colleague to become a RecNSW member and make 2022 their year to embrace reconciliation and become an ally of First Nations People.
- Individual membership is free. Refer a friend of colleague today!
- Ask your organisation to get involved with Reconciliation NSW as an organisational member, and be part of the Reconciliation NSW network of organisations committed to recognising and improving outcomes for First Nations peoples
- Don’t forget to tag friends and colleagues on our social media posts! Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube,
Our members get involved!
Want to become a volunteer?
- As a not for profit organisation, the support of our volunteers is invaluable for aiding Reconciliation NSW’s work for reconciliation and First Nations justice.
- For more info on volunteering / working with us, go here.
- If you are passionate in this area, please contact info@reconciliationnsw.org.au and let us know your strengths!
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Local Reconciliation Group Meetings & Actions
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Even though they may be locked down our LRG’s are busy making other plans, and regularly meet on Zoom.
Here are a few meetings you are welcome to join on our events calendar.
Thinking about starting a new Local Reconciliation Group in your area?
Check out our Fact sheet. |
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Always Was, Always Will Be Our Stories, with Marlee Silva
“Inspiring conversations with Indigenous role models and trailblazers, hosted by Marlee Silva.”
Always Was, Always Will Be Our Stories began in 2020 and is written, hosted, produced and edited by Marlee Silva, on the unceded lands of the Dharrawal people.
Listen on Spotify.
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Blacademia, with Amy Thunig
Facilitated by deadly academic Amy Thunig, Amy yarns with First Nations academics here on the lands now commonly referred to as Australia.
Amy is joined by legends such as Professor Marcia Langton, Dr Lorraine Muller and more.
Listen on Soundclound. |
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Aboriginal Social Media & Communications Network 2021
