National Reconciliation Week 2023:
Be the Voice for Generations
Image on right: Adapted from ‘River Dreaming’ Artwork by Richie Allen (Ngunnawal/Kamilaroi), Traditional Aboriginal Owners Corporation
National Reconciliation Week 2023:
This week is National Reconciliation Week. We’d like to highlight the enduring Indigenous connection and obligation to the waterways we strive to protect and restore. The theme for NRW 2023 is “Be a voice for generations”.
The Australian River Restoration Centre is not an Indigenous organisation — however, we work towards centring Indigenous voices in everything we do, this week and all weeks.
We have collaborated with a variety of people from different nation groups, who kindly share with us stories of resilience, healing and reconciliation which we have brought together below.
Interview with Aaron Chatfield of Dreamtime Connections
Interested in contacting Aaron Chatfield of Dreamtime Connections?
To contact Aaron, click here (dreamtimeconnections@gmail.com).
Healing and Connection to Country with Yarning Circles. Guest Speaker: Tanya Keed
As we have more conversations with Indigenous Peoples, we find that when we acknowledge Country it means so much more. There is an upswelling of emotion as the stories that are generously shared with us gives us insight into what it might be like being an Aboriginal Australian. This podcast is one such conversation. Tanya Keed, a proud Aboriginal woman from Dunghutti Country, and Lori Gould who has worked with the ARRC for over twenty years, share how they have been working together to connect men and women who have been imprisoned, back to themselves, each other and to Country. This is a podcast like no other, and we feel deeply grateful and honoured that Tanya is sharing so much of herself and her story.
River Dreaming and Reconciliation. Guest Speaker: Richie Allen
In this episode, Siwan chats with Richie Allen about reconciliation and the importance of listening to Indigenous perspectives, particularly when it comes to our rivers. Richie comes from the Kamilaroi and Ngunnawal nations and is co-Director of the Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation. Richie has been working with the ARRC over the last year to help us develop a Reconciliation Action Plan. Today we are talking to Richie about what reconciliation means to him and how we might, through our individual and organisational actions, continue along the path of recognising, respecting and reconciling our past with the future and how our individual actions can contribute to reconciling Australia.
Check out National Reconciliation Week events in your area
National Reconciliation Week (NRW) 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. Every year workplaces, schools, early learning services, community groups, reconciliation groups, and people right across the country host a whole range of activities.
The ARRC is hosting a half-day event ‘Connection to Self, Country and Community’ with local Indigenous partners, Clybucca Dreaming and Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, supported by ACT Parks and Conservation Service – you are most welcome to come along.
Additionally we have been researching Indigenous concepts and have some articles to share. Please have a read and feel free to share any feedback.
