You may have been hearing a lot about Reconciliation Week in the past few weeks and are wondering how it relates to our everyday lives. Here at Mother Duck, we are on our own journey to understand more about Reconciliation and how we can value Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures in our services.

What National Sorry Day represents –

Every May 26 in Australia, National Sorry Day reminds us to as a nation reflect on the Indigenous children who were forcibly removed from their families to be “assimilated” into white Australian culture. They are known as the “Stolen Generations.” It took several Australian government administrations coming and going before an apology was officially offered to the Indigenous Australians in 2008.

What National Reconciliation Week represents –

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. The dates for National Reconciliation Week remain the same each year; 27 May to 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively. 

At Mother Duck, we aim to value Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and embed culture and understanding the history, relevant to the country we live on. We do this through our Acknowledgement of Country at morning meetings, through conversations and by including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in our studio environments. It seems fitting that our educators and families learn so that we show children ways to be, think and live. What a gift to give if we could offer our future generations the knowledge to build a sense of belong, being and becoming of who they are and how we all fit together in this world whilst respecting our first nations peoples.

The National Reconciliation Week 2022 theme, “Be Brave. Make Change.” is a challenge to all Australians— individuals, families, communities, organisations and government—to Be Brave and tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation so we can Make Change for the benefit of all Australians. 

Some ideas to share with your children at home during Reconciliation Week, and really all through the year could include:

• Bird Watching – How Many Birds can I name? What are the local indigenous names for these birds?
• Build a shelter – How can I make a gunyah? What materials can I use? How will it stand up in different weather?
• Star Gaze – Once the stars are out, can I name any constellations? What are the local Indigenous star stories for my area? Can I Find the “emu in the sky”?

Source: www.rileycallieresources.com.au/

Mother Duck’s Reconciliation Journey includes the development and implementation of our Reconciliation Action Plan – each of our Services has a representative and would love to share their progress with you and share ideas.

Be Brave –  Make Change.