Reconciliation, Indigenous Culture and "Walking the Talk"

Co-chair of Reconciliation Australia, Dr Tom Calma AO, says: "Here in Australia we're fortunate to have one of the richest and oldest continuing cultures in the world. This is something we should all be proud of and celebrate". (source).

This National Reconciliation Week, 27 May-3 June, our Foundation is walking the talk, celebrating and promoting the diversity of our Indigenous writers from Boori Monty Pryor to Alexis Wright, Jared Thomas to Ali Cobby Eckermann, whose books (and more) are going out to thousands of children in remote communities across Australia as part of our free book supply program.

How are you celebrating NRW?  This year, we're encouraging schools, libraries and businesses to  "walk the talk" by raising funds for literacy programs for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders living in remote and isolated locations. You can engage easily by holding a Great Book Swap and inviting an Indigenous author or local elder to attend. Think about electing an ILF student ambassador to promote social justice in your school and advocate for reconciliation. Most importantly, support the NRW campaign, Recognise.

This campaign is working to recognise Indigenous people in the Australian constitution. They are literally walking the talk having travelled over 17,000 km, from Melbourne to the centre of Australia, across the top of Northern Territory over to Broome and down the west coast.

Our Foundation has run workshops or provided books to many of the communities and towns where they (??) have walked and reached through our Book Supply Program. Communities such as Kununurra, Wyndham, Meekatharra and Warmun in Western Australia and Nhulunbuy and Elliot (Kulumindini) in Northern Territory. The next part of the Recognise journey covers far North Queensland, including communities such as Pormpuraaw, Weipa and Lockhart River who have all received books from us.  See the map of the Recognise journey. 

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  “Recognition of the First Australians and their cultures—past and present—in our Constitution would show their valued place as part of our national identity.” 

  Reconciliation Australia

• Posted 14 May, 2014