The only Australian jurisdiction to mark Reconciliation Day with a day off, the ACT Government is inviting Canberrans to mark the Territory’s 5th Reconciliation Day public holiday on Monday 30 May.
The government event, which will be held from 10am to 3pm at the National Arboretum, will feature traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dance and music performances, art and craft workshops, a bush tucker demonstration, storytelling and a range of other family-friendly activities.
The return of the much-loved Sea of Hands, where ACT school students decorate a hand template using colours, words or pictures that represent what reconciliation means to them, is set to be another highlight this year. The Sea of Hands is an important demonstration of solidarity and will be installed at the National Arboretum after the event.
ACT Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs Rachel Stephen-Smith said Reconciliation Day is a time for the Canberra community to come together to learn, reflect and participate in respectful truth-telling.
“The theme for this year is ‘Be Brave. Make Change’. It’s a challenge to all Australians – individuals, families, communities, organisations and government – to be brave and tackle the unfinished business of Reconciliation so we can make change for the benefit of all Australians.
“The purpose of the Reconciliation Day public holiday is to create the space and time for Canberrans to learn about the cultures and achievements of First Nations peoples and the true history of our nation, region and city.
“Reconciliation Day is an opportunity for us to reflect on this shared history, the ongoing impacts of colonisation and the work we need to do to heal and close the gap,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.
Reconciliation Day falls during Reconciliation Week, which is celebrated across Australia from 27 May (anniversary of the 1967 Referendum) to 3 June (Mabo Day) each year.
For more information about the ACT Government’s event and additional Reconciliation Week resources, visit events.canberra.com.au/reconciliation-day.
The ACT Government has also awarded $28,000 worth of grants to nine community organisations to host Reconciliation events. For information about these events, visit communityservices.act.gov.au/atsia/grants/2022-reconciliation-day-grant-recipients
Get all the latest Canberra news, sport, entertainment, lifestyle, competitions and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Canberra Daily Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.
