ReconciliationAustralia’s National Narragunnawali forum was held in Canberra on 24 Nov and was centered on including Past, Present and Future themes relating to reconciliation in education.

The forum featured a series of powerful panel conversations featuring strong First Nations leaders; amongst them was Aunty Gerdine Atkinson, Professor Tom Cama, and Professor Marcia Langton AO.

The “Past” panel talked about the phenomenal work of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who had paved the way in this space over the past 50 years to help transform truth telling in education.  

The “Present” panel focused on the importance of teachers embedding cross curriculum priorities, and how to encourage and drive the implementation of these priorities in a broad and meaningful way.

Lastly, the “Future” panel spoke about the importance of looking at education through a self-determination and sovereignty lens, and how we need to see the issues in this space as systemic problems that need to be tackled strategically.  

The overarching messages on the day to educators and those working in and connected to the education system were:

• To get active.
• Build networks, including community of practice groups.
• Stop “the fear” and “do your research” to deepen knowledge.
• Build on the skills you have as educators.
• Show funders and governments that ongoing funding is needed in this space.  

Reconciliation Victoria would like to thank Reconciliation Australia and the Narragunnawali team for putting on this incredibly inspiring event. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to all the panellists who shared their knowledge and wisdom.

Learn more Narragunnawali Awards and the 2023 finalists.