National Reconciliation Week – 27th May to 3rd June 2024

The HNECC PHN has a fundamental commitment to achieve meaningful and sustainable improvements in health outcomes for Aboriginal communities living within the region. A fundamental step towards improving health outcomes for Aboriginal people is to support our Commissioned Services to better understand and incorporate Aboriginal culture and customs within their service.

As part of this commitment, next week is National Reconciliation Week (NRW). NRW is a time for our community to come together, learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation within Australia.

We encourage your organisation to attend some of the local regional events Face to Face. We have also shared an opportunity to attend a Virtual Event to support National Reconciliation Week.

Now More Than Ever #NRW2024

This year’s official song is the great reconciliation anthem "Blackfella/Whitefella" by the Warumpi Band. Written by band members George Rrurrambu and Neil Murray, the song is a call for all people of all backgrounds and races to come together and stand up for change.

The theme of NRW 2024, Now More Than Ever, is a reminder to all of us that the fight for justice and the rights of First Nations people must continue. The National Reconciliation Week 2024 design and artwork represent the momentum of this year’s theme. The chevron, a universal symbol for pointing the way, signifies advancing as one as we look towards a reconciled future. The vibrant artwork of Gubbi Gubbi artist Maggie Douglas encourages connecting with one another, understanding, and continuing to move forward.

Events - National Reconciliation Week 2024

Virtual Event

UTS Seminar: Tokenist, ally or accomplice?

May 27 @ 11:30 am - 1:00 pm

2024 is a year when many non-Indigenous Australians are reflecting on their engagement with First Nations people and issues. Performative action, tokenism and good intentions are not enough. How can we step up, lean into discomfort and do better?

Join us during Reconciliation Week to explore the differences between a tokenist, ally and accomplice and hear practical tips on meaningfully engaging with First Nations issues and supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sovereignty and self-determination.

Dr Summer May Finlay will provide a keynote address on how non-Indigenous people can stand and act with First Nations people, and a panel discussion with Prof. Lindon Coombes, Prof. Chris Cunneen and Dr Elaine Laforteza, moderated by Prof. Robynne Quiggin, will reveal further insights into how you can be actively involved.

This event is free and will be livestreamed on Zoom. Register here: https://events.humanitix.com/tokenist-ally-or-accomplice 

Regional Community Events

Armidale

Armidale NRW Bridge Walk 2024

Corners of March & Dumaresq Streets, Armidale. May 26 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Erina

Coast Shelter – Central Coast 2024 Reconciliation Gathering.

May 28 Tuesday @ 9.30am

Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Services Reconciliation/Sorry Day Afternoon Tea

Newcastle

Rising of the Embers Festival – May 24 @ 10am – 6pm @ University of Newcastle

Singleton Reconciliation Flag Raising Ceremony May 30 @ 10:30 am - 11:30 am AEST

Tamworth

Colour run – Tuesday 28th May @ Viaduct Park Tamworth

New events for National Reconciliation Week are continually being added to the below websites:

Events from June 3 – May 22 – Reconciliation Australia

Events Calendar (reconciliationnsw.org.au)