May 27th (1967 Referendum) to June 3rd (Mabo Day) bookend Reconciliation Week in Australia.
These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively. National Reconciliation Week (NRW) 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. Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
This year's theme is Don't Keep History a Mystery: Learn, Share, Grow. This week explore history hidden just beneath the surface, ready and waiting to be uncovered. This National Reconciliation Week learn more about the Australian story.
At JCU libraries you can view the Eddie Koiki Mabo Art Exhibition that commemorates JCU's Reconciliation Statement and the naming of the Townsville Library after Mr Mabo. Both libraries have a wide range of titles about Australian history and culture related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, from the terrible, to the transcendent. Here is another list to peruse on our blog.
If you’re on the Cairns campus, be sure to look at the National Reconciliation Week display on the ground floor of the library. The display includes a bark painting by Walter Jack (deceased) and a shadow box by Roy McIvor,both artists from the Hopevale community. A great interview of Roy McIvor from the ABC is a great listen. Thank you to Deann Grant for donating these to the display, which also showcases selected items from our large range of print, online and audiovisual resources exploring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and the path to reconciliation.
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