First Nations community meetings, a forest walk, art exhibition, online podcasts and the Indigenous Netball Round are just some of the events the community can join in to celebrate National Reconciliation Week, which runs until June 3.
This year’s theme is More Than A Word, and encourages people to discover that reconciliation takes action and is a journey for all Australians.
Sunshine Coast Council Community Portfolio Councillor David Law said council was proud to support many Reconciliation Week activities taking place across the region.
“Council has a strong and proud partnership with our First Nations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) community and I encourage everyone to participate in these events,” Cr Law said.
“We all have a role to play in this important reconciliation journey, which at the heart of it builds on the relationships between First Nations people and the wider community.
“Council endorsed its third Reconciliation Action Plan in March, which continues to focus on strong relationships with our First Nations community while also celebrating their culture and heritage.
“I was very pleased to see council partner with the Healing Foundation and PHN to deliver the region’s first ever First Nations Self-Determination, Representation and Wellbeing Forum in March, attended by more than 200 people from a variety of community groups, universities, tourism bodies and First Nations organisations.”
View a wide range of National Reconciliation Week resources about First Nations Australians available from Sunshine Coast Libraries including books, eBooks, movies and podcasts.
View online at library.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Whats-On/Reconciliation-Week, or visit your local library.
Follow Sunshine Coast News on Facebook.
Until May 31, people can view stunning First Nations artwork in the Culture is Inclusion exhibition. Culture is Inclusion draws on works created by the NuunaRon Art group – First Nations artists based on the Sunshine Coast who are living with a disability.
The exhibition is a partnership with the First Peoples Disability Network Australia and recognises the need for our First Nations community living with disability to have a culturally safe place to come together to connect, build resilience and address issues such as social isolation through art and yarning.
Presented by Caloundra Regional Gallery at the Arts and Ecology Centre at Maroochy Bushland Gardens Tuesday to Sunday, 10am-2pm. Visit http://gallery.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/en/Exhibitions/Culture-Is-Inclusion
People are also invited to experience a brand new First Nations Virtual Reality Experience at Bankfoot House, Glass House Mountains. This immersive experience takes you back to one day before European settlement at Bankfoot House. http://heritage.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/About/Media-Releases/Heritage-Symposium
A National Reconciliation Week Morning Tea will be held on Friday, May 28, at 10am at Shadforths at Forest Glen. Visit www.shadcivil.com.au COVID Safe practices apply.
Also on Friday at Muller Park, Bli Bli, from 3.30pm-5.30pm, Nambour Community Centre will host Reconciliation Friday with Thriving Families. Visit ThrivingFamilies 4560 Nambour Community Centre
People can take a stroll through Buderim Forest Park on Wednesday, June 2, from 10am until noon with the Aunty Betty Memorial Reconciliation Walk. Bookings are essential. Visit http://www.trybooking.com/events/landing?eid=737197&
National Reconciliation Week activities will be capped with a game of first-class netball at University of the Sunshine Coast Stadium on Sunday 6 June at 1pm with the league’s Indigenous Round. Tickets can be purchased here http://fb.me/e/1ej0Oj7sa
This year marks 20 years of Reconciliation Australia and almost three decades of Australia’s formal reconciliation process.
Sunshine Coast Council was the first local government in Queensland to develop a Reconciliation Action Plan with Reconciliation Australia in 2011.
Help keep independent and fair Sunshine Coast news coming by subscribing to our free daily news feed. All it requires is your name and email. See SUBSCRIBE at the top of this article.
