Yuumma Canberra! From Thursday 27 May to Thursday 3 June there are a host of events across town recognising Reconciliation Week 2021, with an ACT public holiday falling on Monday 31 May.
National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
2021 marks 20 years of Reconciliation Australia and almost three decades of Australia’s formal reconciliation process.
Community day at the National Arboretum
The ACT Government’s fourth annual Reconciliation Day community event will be held on the public holiday Monday 31 May 10am-2pm, at the National Arboretum Canberra.
The event will be full of activities and performances including live music from the Griffyn Ensemble, Wiradjuri Echoes, and Johnny Huckle; a yarning circle with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders; Ngunnawal language workshops; creative activities including basket weaving, butterfly craft, and Sturt desert pea making; guided cultural walks through the forest; bush tucker tastings; and more.
Click here for the full program.
Reconciliation Week at the National Museum
Recognise Reconciliation Week at the National Museum by visiting their Indigenous-themed exhibitions Piinpi: Contemporary Indigenous Fashion in the First Australians Focus Gallery, and Talking Blak to History.
Unbroken Connections at Canberra Glassworks
Canberra Glassworks is now hosting solo exhibition by award-winning artist, Quandamooka woman Megan Cope, featuring a new body of work as a result of her residency at the Glassworks in 2020 and 2021.
Unbroken Connections features works showcasing Cope’s exploration of the ongoing connections her People have with Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) and wider Quandamooka Country.
Cope’s Unbroken Connections is on at Canberra Glassworks throughout Reconciliation Week, and continues until 18 July; canberraglassworks.com
NPG Reconciliation Week tours
To celebrate Reconciliation Week, from 26 May to 3 June the National Portrait Gallery’s 30-minute free highlights tours will focus on some remarkable, resilient and inspirational Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in their collection.
Bookings are essential and can be made here.
Reconciliation Week @ the NFSA
On Friday 28 May, the National Film and Sound Archive will host a special matinee screening of Rabbit-Proof Fence as well as a slide night as part of their Mervyn Bishop exhibition, celebrating the renowned Indigenous news photographer.
Based on the book Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence by Molly’s daughter, Doris Pilkington Garimara, this true story introduced many people worldwide to Australia’s ‘stolen generations’.
Rabbit-Proof Fence will be screened at the NFSA’s Arc Cinema, 28 May 10.30am; book here.
Also on 28 May from 7pm, the Archive will host Slide night with Uncle Mervyn Bishop, where the photographer will recreate his entertaining and fascinating slide shows; book here.
Dylan Van Den Berg’s Milk @ The Street
Milk, a new work by Canberra Indigenous playwright and actor, Dylan Van Den Berg, will premiere at The Street on 4 June.
Spanning two centuries, Milk tracks the conversation between three Aboriginal ancestors coming together on a metaphysical Flinders Island off the coast of Tasmania on the verge of life-changing moments.
Milk will be performed at The Street, City West, 4-6 and 9-12 June; thestreet.org.au
Teach a Man to Fish fundraiser movie night
Big Sing Community are hosting a fundraiser movie night at Kambri, ANU on Wednesday 2 June as part of National Reconciliation Week 2021.
A screening of Australian documentary Teach a Man to Fish will be followed by Q&A with filmmaker and Biripi man, Grant Saunders.
A performance by Rachel Hore’s Pop Up Choir will open the event.
Big Sing Incorporated is a not-for-profit association established to foster and support community singing and music and provide opportunities for musical and cultural sharing.
Wednesday 2 June 6-8.30pm at Kambri Cultural Centre ANU; tickets $30/$20, book here.
Documentary Screening: In My Blood It Runs
To mark National Reconciliation Week, The University of Canberra and UC Student Representative Council have arranged a screening of In My Blood It Runs, a documentary showcasing a 10-year-old Dujuan child healer.
The screening will take place at the UC Refectory, Bruce, Tuesday 25 May 4-6pm; free, register via Eventbrite.
Have we missed anything? Submit your Canberra Reconciliation Day 2021 event in the comments or via email to [email protected].
Woodlands and Wetlands Trust
Bush Tucker &Â Family Walk: Saturday 29 May, two sessions: 10am-12noon and 1-3pm;Â $20 adults, $15 children. Join Ngunnawal man Richie Allan and Wiradjuri woman Dhani Gilbert for Reconciliation Week at Jerrabomberra Wetlands. Enjoy a taste of bush tucker straight from the fire and head out on a walk to learn about indigenous connection to country. Suitable for ages 5 and up.
Tickets: jerrabomberrawetlands.org.au/whats-on
For more entertainment:
