27 May – 3 June is National Reconciliation Week in Australia. This is a week that calls for all Australians to learn about shared histories, cultures, and achievements and explore how we can all contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. 

The theme for National Reconciliation Week in 2023 is: Be a Voice for Generations. The hashtag is #NRW2023. 

The Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the Digital Child has compiled a list of resources for teachers, educators, and other professionals looking to highlight National Reconciliation Week in the classroom, office, and online. 

National Reconciliation Week – Resources

NRW provides a variety of posters (including the header image we use in this blog post) – with translations – on their website for online activities. They also provide colouring activities for children. 

Let us Be a Voice for Generations: An opinion article by Associate Professor Marnee Shay

In light of National Reconciliation Week in Australia (27 May – 3 June), Associate Professor Marnee Shay shares her opinion on what the theme of ‘Be a Voice for Generations’ means to her. Published by Routledge.

Narragunnawali: Reconciliation in Education

Narragunnawali supports schools and early learning services to foster knowledge and pride in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and contributions.

SNAICC

SNAICC is the national voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. They have a library of resources available for purchase on the SNAICC online store. 

Archie Roach 

Archie Roach – Took The Children Away (Official Music Video) – YouTube. “Took the Children Away” is from Archie Roach’s ARIA award winning album “Charcoal Lane”#ArchieRoach #TookTheChildrenAway.

Written resources that compliment this video include: 

• Took the Children Away by Archie Roach (2010) and Illustrated by Ruby Hunter

• From Little Things Big things Grow (Paul Kelly and Kev Carmody)

Respect Relationships Reconciliation

Teaching resources developed for educators that provide a range of pedagogical practices to engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander students.

Koori Education

Koori Education has a range of suggestions for your National Reconciliation Week activities:

• Listen to the song ‘Took the Children Away’ by Archie Roach

• Watch the SBS Documentary ‘Servant or Slave’ which details stories of Women of the Stolen Generation.

• Watch ‘The Rabbit Proof Fence’ – a film based on the true story of three Aboriginal girls who, after being forcibly removed from their mothers in 1931, escaped from a mission settlement in order to find their way home.

• Read segments of the “The Bringing Them Home Report” the 1997 National Enquiry into the Stolen Generations

• Read the 2022 Family Matters Report to understand the current state of affairs

• Review and refresh your Reconciliation Commitment Statement

• Discuss what this year’s theme ‘Be a Voice for Generations’ means to you

• Watch the Koori Curriculum Reconciliation Action Plans Webinar

Riley Callie Resources

Riley Callie Resources works to introduce young children to a fun and engaging way of learning Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) which incorporates Indigenous thinking and contexts. In addition to a range of general resources, they provide a 2023 themed staff reflection sheet and colouring sheet for National Reconciliation Week activities. 

ABC Education

ABC has an array of educational resources about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures. ABC also hosts a series of videos on iView focused on National Reconciliation Week.  

Early Childhood Australia

Early Childhood Australia recognises that connections with place and people are central to the wellbeing of young children and their families, and that building relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples will bring about a positive change, not only for children but also for whole communities. 

Explore a comprehensive list of resources and online information for Early Childhood Educators about supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander educators, cultural awareness, events, celebrations, relationships with families, creating culturally welcoming spaces and more.

Cool Australia

Cool Australia is an early education focused organisation that provides resources for educators, students, and parents. Their work includes a unit called ‘How to Teach Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives in Early Learning’. They also have a list of teaching resources from National Reconciliation Week 2022.