Be Brave. Make Change.

The National Reconciliation Week 2022 theme, “Be Brave. Make Change.” is a challenge to  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.

But what does this exactly mean for educators? How can we take these four simple words and apply them meaningfully to our practice and our educational settings? Last year’s theme was “More than a word. Reconciliation Takes Action”. This year’s theme asks us to take one step further and to build on our actions to really drive change.

Here are three simple steps to get you started on this journey:

1.       Get more involved with your local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and become involved in local and national issues of importance.

2.       Make space in your sphere of influence to amplify First Nations voices.

3.       Reinforce positive representations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia and support those around you to do the same.

Remember that the ‘Be Brave. Make Change’ theme ties very neatly with this year’s NAIDOC theme of “Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!”. It is all about encouraging people to use their own lives to stand up and take action towards reconciliation and strengthening relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australia, not just in National Reconciliation Week, but every week of the year.

Let’s work together to sustain the focus on Indigenous Australia throughout the year to help foster in our children a well-rounded knowledge of Australia’s First Peoples, and help them to develop a respect for diversity and an understanding and appreciation of cultural difference.