national days of Recognition
At its heart, reconciliation is about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples, for the benefit of all Australians.“… A reconciled Australia is one where our rights as First Australians are not just respected but championed in all the places that matter …”Kirstie Parker – Board Member, Reconciliation Australia
National Reconciliation Week
Reconciliation Australia promotes and facilitates respect, trust and positive relationships between the wider Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
National Reconciliation WeekNational Reconciliation Week (NRW) is celebrated across Australia each year between 27 May and 3 June. The dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey: the anniversaries of the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision. The week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements and to explore how each of us can join the national reconciliation effort.
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's DayThe Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) is the national non-government peak body in Australia representing the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families.
SNAICC was formally established in 1981 after the creation of such a body was proposed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at the First Aboriginal Child Survival Seminar held in Melbourne in 1979. The organisation elected its first national executive in 1982 and has received Federal Government funding support from 1983.
SNAICC has a membership base of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-based child care agencies, Multifunctional Aboriginal children's services, crèches, long day care child care services, preschools, early childhood education services, early childhood support organisations, family support services, foster care agencies, link up and family reunification services, family group homes, community groups and voluntary associations, and services for young people at risk.
SNAICC also has a network and subscriber base of over 1400 organisations and individuals, mostly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, but also significant numbers of other community based services and individuals and state and federal agencies with an interest in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and children. http://www.snaicc.org.au/news-events/dsp-default.cfm?loadref=58
SNAICC was formally established in 1981 after the creation of such a body was proposed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at the First Aboriginal Child Survival Seminar held in Melbourne in 1979. The organisation elected its first national executive in 1982 and has received Federal Government funding support from 1983.
SNAICC has a membership base of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-based child care agencies, Multifunctional Aboriginal children's services, crèches, long day care child care services, preschools, early childhood education services, early childhood support organisations, family support services, foster care agencies, link up and family reunification services, family group homes, community groups and voluntary associations, and services for young people at risk.
SNAICC also has a network and subscriber base of over 1400 organisations and individuals, mostly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, but also significant numbers of other community based services and individuals and state and federal agencies with an interest in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and children. http://www.snaicc.org.au/news-events/dsp-default.cfm?loadref=58
Sorry Day
Sorry DayIn 1995, the Commonwealth Attorney General established the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from their Families, to be conducted by the human Rights Commission.
The outcome of the enquiry produced the Bringing them Home report. This report acknowledged that 'Indigenous children have been forcibly separated from their families and communities since the very first days of the European occupation of Australia' by governments and missionaries.
These children, known as the "Stolen Generations" were separated from their families and used as guides, servants and farm labour. Continuing into the late 1960's children were removed from their families to be brought up in institutions or fostered out to white families as part of Australia's assimilation policy. For more information visit Nsdc.org.au
The outcome of the enquiry produced the Bringing them Home report. This report acknowledged that 'Indigenous children have been forcibly separated from their families and communities since the very first days of the European occupation of Australia' by governments and missionaries.
These children, known as the "Stolen Generations" were separated from their families and used as guides, servants and farm labour. Continuing into the late 1960's children were removed from their families to be brought up in institutions or fostered out to white families as part of Australia's assimilation policy. For more information visit Nsdc.org.au