Actions to be a voice for reconciliation
This year’s National Reconciliation Week theme, Be a Voice for Generations urges us all to keep up the momentum for change.
The theme encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives – where we live, work and socialise.
This National Reconciliation Week our actions must be as loud as our voices.
Check our suggestions how you can Be a Voice for Generations, while also acting to create a better country for future generations.
Take these actions with you every day of the year, not just during National Reconciliation Week.
Be a Voice for Listening
Sometimes being a voice means shutting up and listening.
First Nations peoples have a long legacy of speaking up for their communities, but their voices have been excluded or buried under the voices of non-Indigenous people.
Turn down the noise: listen before you speak. Be an active ally.
Protect the space for a multitude of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewpoints and perspectives. If you are unsure, listen and learn.
Be a Voice for Unity
First Nations cultures, stories and solutions have thrived for over 65,000 years and make Australia a richer, more whole place for everybody.
Speak up about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander successes, cultures and people. Recognise sovereignty by Acknowledging Country and by respectfully prioritising Traditional Owners voices.
Learn about the significance of NAIDOC theme, For Our Elders. Attend or plan an event near you.
Display Country names on buildings and offices.
Be a Voice for Fairness
Racism damages lives and livelihoods, and it hurts the whole community. Whether in the city, regions, online or in public spaces – being abused, ignored, refused service or getting followed by security, has long-lasting effects.
Say it out loud: ‘Racism: It Stops With Me.’
Notice the bias in personal conversations. Speak up when you hear something ignorant, hurtful or not right.
Amplify calls to eradicate systemic racism. See it. Call it out. Report it.
Be a Voice for Learning
If you didn’t learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures at school, speak up to make sure our kids do now.
Find info for schools and early learning services on the Narragunnawali website and at Learn our Truth.
Challenge colonial perspectives on history, support school curriculum changes, commit to a RAP in your school or early learning service.
Be a Voice for Action
Actions speak louder than words – and reconciliation takes action.
Learn about how to move from ally to accomplice.
Connect with your local Traditional Custodians and First Nations groups to find out what issues you should stand with them on and help amplify their voices.
Find your local reconciliation group and collaborate on efforts.
Be a Voice for Truth-Telling
Australia’s true history has been silenced, creating inter-generational trauma and preventing healing.
When talking about the story of Australia, state the facts.
Always note the continued presence and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Support First Nations people’s truth-telling, in whatever form.
Start a community conversation about the history of your area, suburb or town.
Be a Voice for Reform
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are the most incarcerated people in the world, proportionally.
Learn and understand why this is so.
Speak out and challenge our leaders to take action on justice.
Amplify the calls of Change the Record, Raise the Age and Family Matters campaigns.
Are they heroes or criminals?
Consult on and investigate renaming.
Be a Voice for Representation
Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander peoples have been fighting for a political voice, and structural changes like treaty, for more than 100 years.
Learn the history of representative bodies and calls for treaty. Find out if your state has started its treaty process.
Listen to the calls, debates and discussions by First Peoples on treaties, constitutional reform, and Voice to Parliament.
Be a Voice for Self-determination
When Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples speak for themselves, our communities become stronger.
Understand the strengths in First Nations community control in governing, health, education curricula, and media representation.
Speak up for and support community-controlled and Indigenous governed organisations.
Be a Voice for Land Rights
Australia’s First Peoples have never stopped defending their lands and waters, and asserting their rights to their homelands. Land justice is hard fought for and must be vigilantly guarded.
Show you support First Nations ownership and custodianship of Country.
Learn about Land Rights and Native Title in Australia.
Support or join land justice efforts and advocacy near you.
Be a Voice for Equity
Past policies and practices took money and work away from generations of First Nations people. Stolen wages and lands undermined economic futures, and this is still playing out today.
Support First Nations businesses as contractors, suppliers, and producers.
Purchase Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander art or products only from Indigenous-owned businesses.
Call out exploitation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and cultures in mainstream businesses.
NRW 2023 & BEYOND
Reconciliation is everyone’s business, every day.
Use this National Reconciliation Week to learn about and celebrate the world’s oldest living culture.
Attend events, or host your own. Read, watch, listen and learn.
Help others to get on board and Be a Voice for Generations.
