The whirling winds, the swirling seas
The pull of the tides, it draws us in
The gift of the sea, a wishing well of wonders
The sacred retreat where our wildlife seek refuge
The heart of our island, where the waterways meet
Yet, without the soul of the island, it is incomplete
The peoples are the missing piece
The caretakers, custodians, curators
Who conserve and care for country
And all of nature’s bounty
The wind whispers wisdom as it snakes through the island
If our marine and mammal wildlife can live in harmony
How can we reciprocate national unity across the skies, waterways, and land?
To reconcile our island and mould the future of our country together
Reconciliation means…
The path to reconciliation is illuminated through actively acknowledging Australia’s
shared history and implementing substantial and structural reform. Progressing towards reconciliation is defined by acknowledging our island home’s shared national identity, featuring First Nations peoples in partnership with non-Indigenous Australians and learning
to embrace and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander diversity and culture.
In light of the journey, reconciliation urges us to empower the voices and perspectives of First Nations peoples and integrate their presence into the constitution. The question of reconciliation influences us to open our eyes and intently listen, learn and absorb so we can heal, restore and rejuvenate our nation and repair the wounds of not only the peoples, but Country, which First Nations peoples have nurtured and nourished for 65,000 years as custodians, curators and caretakers.
Reconciliation calls Australia to uplift and empower the voices of First Nations peoples in issues which have significant impacts on their wellbeing, culture and connection to Country which is exemplified by seeking environmental, cultural and heritage protection and supporting treaties. The journey to reconciliation requires the combined efforts of all
Australians in partnership with our First Nations peoples to ensure that their cultures thrive and survive for generations to follow.
Reconciliation highlights that as a country, it’s time we resist retreating to silence in the face of conflict and injustice, and stop resolving to being bystanders and witnesses to deprivation, discrimination and denial of First Nations human rights. Reconciliation urges us to move beyond hollow promises and tokenistic approaches and actively pursue tangible solutions through authentic and truthful institutional, structural, collaborative, and cooperative reform. First Nations expression of culture and identity is deep rooted in their sense of Aboriginality, connection to Country and ancestral ties so we must work together to a mould a future that embraces and celebrates all peoples of Australia.
Author: Maya Dias
Many of these resources and activities have been developed in consultation with NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) to ensure that the program meets NSW curriculum outcomes for Stages 3, 4 & 5.
Reconciliation NSW aims to create a reconciled, just and equitable community for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians. We work to inform, support and inspire people to engage in reconciliation.
E: schools@reconciliationnsw.org.au
T: 02 8095 9600
Ground Floor 27 Cope St Redfern 2016
