This National Reconciliation Week, Australians are being encouraged to use their voice for change in the lead up to the referendum on an Indigenous Voice.
Starting today on the anniversary of the successful 1967 referendum and running until Mabo Day on June 3rd. The week is about, strengthening relationships between non-Indigenous people and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the nation.
Reconciliation Australia’s CEO, Karen Mundine says this year’s theme ‘Be a Voice for Generations’ is about doing something tangible to create a better, more just Australia for all of us.
“Reconciliation is about building a better nation; a more united Australia that respects and takes pride in 65,000 years of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, stories, and achievements; an Australia that believes in the right of First Nations peoples to make decisions about our lives and our communities; and an Australia that stands opposed to racism, inequity and injustice.
“I urge all Australians to join me in participating in activities this National Reconciliation Week and to raise our voices for the future.”
More than 500 choirs from across the country will also be joining together this week to sing Kev Carmody and Paul Kelly’s iconic song ‘From Little Things Big Things Grow’.
Reconciliation Australia’s ‘Voices For Generations’ project has attracted singers of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels.
Choirs will share their performances on social media – and in real life – during National Reconciliation Week.
Mundine, a proud Bundjalung woman says the project honours the work of previous generations who fought for justice in Australia.
“It calls on us to work together today to tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation for the generations to come.”
The song ‘From Little Things Big Things Grow’ pays tribute to the Gurindji people’s struggle for their land, while also being symbolic of the broader movement for Indigenous equality and land rights in Australia.
It describes the Wave Hill Walk-Off in 1966, through to Prime Minister Gough Whitlam symbolically handing Gurindji land back eight years later.
“There are many examples of non-First Nations Australians who stood with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples during early strikes, protests and notably during the Wave Hill Walkoff,” Mundine said.
The myriad of choirs will start to share their videos from 12pm today AEST using the tags #NRW2023Voices #VoicesforGenerations. You can also visit the ‘Voices for Generations’ Facebook event: https://fb.me/e/1czDvTATK to see more.
Or you can visit Reconciliation Australia’s website for more information.
