Western Australians are encouraged to join the digital celebration of Reconciliation Week 2020, as COVID-19 reminds us that, more than ever, we are ‘In this together’.
The national celebration of Reconciliation Week starts tomorrow (May 27) and runs until Wednesday, June 3.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, large public gatherings have been replaced with immersive online content, including storytelling and videos, to empower Australians to understand and better participate in truth telling.
Reconciliation WA has compiled a video series called Reconciliation Conversations, which features prominent Aboriginal Western Australians including Des Headland, Tui Raven, Richard Walley, Robyn Smith-Walley and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt.
This year’s theme, ‘In this together’, is a theme that Western Australians have embraced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a remarkable display of mutual respect and collaboration, industry, governments, Aboriginal communities and individuals have over the past three months partnered to protect Aboriginal communities from the spread of COVID-19.
For more information about Reconciliation Week 2020, visit: https://www.recwa.org.au/
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
“COVID-19 has challenged us all to find different ways to embrace National Reconciliation Week, but its meaning doesn’t change.
“Reconciliation WA’s on-line resources provide all Western Australians access to an extensive array of local interviews, podcasts, webinars, films and more, from our homes, schools and workplaces”.
“We are all in this together, and through taking the time during National Reconciliation week to learn and share online, we can inform ourselves on how best to act to advance our reconciliation journey and build a better WA.”
As stated by Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt:
“The Aboriginal story is integral to the Australian story. It is who we are as a State, and as a nation. Truth telling is about sharing the full story for everyone to hear.
“The McGowan Government is committed to truth-telling as a key part of the reconciliation journey, and to ensuring Aboriginal leadership is at the policy and decision making table.
“The Aboriginal Advisory Council of Western Australia is a critical partner with Government on key policy developments, such as the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and a State Aboriginal Empowerment Strategy.
“These policies will provide a partnership mechanism to improve outcomes for Aboriginal well-being.
“During National Reconciliation Week, we encourage all Western Australians to listen to the voices of members of our Council, together with Aboriginal Elders, leaders, youth and communities, as they share their stories, perspectives and discuss opportunities for reconciliation.
“Western Australia’s response to the COVID pandemic provided an opportunity to reflect on critical reconciliation themes including, mutual respect, acknowledgement and partnerships.”
