Reconciliation Week 2023
National Reconciliation week is from the 27th of May to the 3rd of June, bookended by the anniversaries of the 1967 Referendum and the Mabo Decision.
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But what does it mean?
The dates for National Reconciliation Week are the same each year; 27 May to 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively. 27 May 1967 On this day, Australia’s most successful referendum saw more than 90 per cent of Australians vote to give the Australian Government power to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and recognise them in the Census. 3 June 1992 On this day, the Australian High Court delivered the Mabo decision, the culmination of Eddie Koiki Mabo’s challenge to the legal fiction of ‘terra nullius’ (land belonging to no one) and leading to the legal recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of lands. This decision paved the way for Native Title.
Reconciliation Week is celebrated by workplaces, schools and early learning services, community organisations and groups, and by individuals Australia-wide. It's a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
What does it mean for MOCS?
This year, during Reconciliation Week, we will be engaging with families across our programs to talk about how we can learn and contribute.
The theme this year is, "Be a Voice for Generations", a particularly relevant theme when working with children and young people.
At our Playgroups and our Parenting groups, we will facilitate conversations with families about what Reconciliation means and how we can contribute to it in our lives.
We will be using colouring in activities sourced from Reconciliation Australia to engage with families.
Other ways that MOCS works towards Reconciliation is by engaging with local First Nations communities and Traditional Owners to inform the way that we work, to support First Nations community, and to tread lightly on Country.
We acknowledge the Dharug and Gundungurra people as the Traditional Custodians of the land in which we live and work. We acknowledge Indigenous ways of building community and caring for kin and Country.
Keep up the momentum for change: the theme for National Reconciliation Week 2023 is Be a Voice for Generations.
The theme encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives – where we live, work and socialise.
For the work of generations past, and the benefit of generations future, act today for a more just, equitable and reconciled country for all.
National Reconciliation Week – 27 May to 3 June – is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.