Reconciliation+Week

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May 27th - Anniversary of the 1967 Referendum
====May 27 marks the anniversary of Australia’s most successful referendum and a defining event in our nation’s history. The 1967 referendum saw over 90 per cent of Australians vote to give the Commonwealth the power to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and recognise them in the national census.====

June 3rd - Mabo
====**On 3 June, 1992, the High Court of Australia delivered its landmark Mabo decision** which legally recognised that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have a special relationship to the land—that existed prior to colonalisation and still exists today. This recognition paved the way for land rights called Native Title.====

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//“…Reconciliation means knowing this country’s history and acknowledging the bad as well as the good. It means understanding and embracing difference, of language, of culture, of Law. Reconciliation is about ensuring that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have their rights as the first peoples of this nation properly recognised and that recognition of those rights ensures them the same life chances as other Australians. Reconciliation is about acknowledging the wrongs of the past and pledging as a nation to right them.”//===== Linda Burney, former chair of NSW Reconciliation Council, 1999.

Why Reconciliation?
Reconciliation is important for all Australians, whether Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, or non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. Being a supporter of reconciliation means valuing Australia’s unique Indigenous cultures, believing in the importance of respectful relationships and having a no tolerance approach to racism.

There is much to improve in terms of relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and non- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. We need to examine the past and understand that it still has an impact today, as well as celebrate the importance of respect, different perspectives and diverse cultural experiences. Learning about reconciliation helps students to become active and socially aware citizens in many aspects of society and can help reduce Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander disadvantage.

=__Reconciliation Week Flag Flying Protocols__=

NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK – 27 MAY 2011 TO 3 JUNE 2011
**National Sorry Day** acknowledges and raises awareness of the history and continued effect of the forced removal on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

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Flying the Indigenous Flags on National Sorry Day and throughout National Reconciliation Week confirms our national respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. =====

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From Thursday 26 May to Friday 3 June the Australian Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag should be flown on additional flagpoles, where available, next to or near the Australian National Flag on Government buildings and establishments. Other organisations are encouraged to follow this protocol. =====

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If there is only one flagpole available on a flag station, the Australian Aboriginal Flag or the Torres Strait Islander Flag should not replace the Australian National Flag. =====

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If two flagpoles are available, it is at the discretion of the authority concerned to determine which of the two flags is flown with the Australian National Flag. The Australian Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag have equal status and may be flown in any order after the Australian National Flag. =====

**__LINKS:__**
[|Reconciliation Australia] media type="custom" key="25205228"

Music and Words

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