ATSI News

What is National Reconciliation Week?

National Reconciliation Week is an annual celebration and is a time for all Australians to reflect on our shared histories, and on the contributions and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.  The week is framed by two key events in Australia’s history that provide strong symbols of the aspirations for reconciliation.

NRW runs from Saturday 27 May –  Saturday 3 June, bookended by two significant milestones in Australia’s reconciliation journey: the 1967 Referendum and the historic Mabo decision. 2017 marks 50 years since the ‘67 referendum, and 25 years since the Mabo decision. This year’s theme –  ‘Let’s Take the Next Steps’ – reminds us that all big changes take persistence and courage. 

May 27 marks the anniversary of Australia’s most successful referendum and a defining event in our nation’s history. The 1967 Referendum saw over 90 per cent of Australians vote to give the Commonwealth power to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and recognise them in the national census.  

June 3 is Mabo Day

On this day in 1992, the High Court of Australia delivered its landmark Mabo decision which overturned the notion of ‘terra nullius’ and legally recognised Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ connection to their country; a connection that existed prior to colonisation and continues today. This recognition paved the way for the Native Title system.