Reconciliation Week 2022 at the NIAA

[Photo: Pictured left to right: NIAA Group Manager Julie-Ann Guivarra standing alongside Deputy CEO Letitia Hope, CEO Jody Broun and Deputy CEO Blair Exell]

Reconciliation Week 2022 was a big week in the National Indigenous Australians Agency, with activities held across the country from our North Queensland Region all the way down to our Victoria-Tasmania Region. The week culminated with the Agency strengthening its commitment to reconciliation and becoming a supporter of the ‘Racism. It Stops With Me’ campaign.

As a supporter of the Australian Human Rights Commission-run campaign, the NIAA joins more than 400 organisations that have pledged their commitment to oppose racism and contribute towards a more inclusive society. This includes organisations across business, sport, education, local government and community.

Packed full of activities for NIAA staff around the country, Reconciliation Week 2022 was an important week to learn more about reconciliation, reflect on what it means to each of us and solidify the actions we will each take to continue to make change.

In the Western NSW Region, staff gathered for a morning tea with well-known and respected Dubbo community member and leader Uncle Frank Doolan, his mother Aunty Pat Doolan PSM, and Brewarrina born 1980s rugby league star Ron ‘Rambo’ Gibbs. Aunty Pat reflected on how her experience of racism set her on a course to make a difference to the lives of others.

[Photo: Uncle Frank Doolan, Aunty Pat Doolan PSM, and Ron ‘Rambo’ Gibbs joined the Western NSW Region staff for morning tea in Dubbo.]

In the North Queensland Region, NRL Cowboys House partners, students and staff gathered with NIAA staff for a moving ceremony to reflect on historical injustices towards First Nations peoples. The ceremony included dance performances from NRL Cowboys House students. Townsville staff represented NIAA at celebrations for the 30th Anniversary of Mabo Day.

[Photo: Students from NRL Cowboys House doing a traditional dance to honour Sorry Day Event.]

In the Victoria-Tasmania Region, staff heard from Palawa Elder Rodney Dilon about Tasmanian First Nations history and his years of advocating and working to progress the aspirations of Tasmanian Aboriginal peoples. He spoke about the importance of meaningful partnerships with Government, services providers and institutions.

[Photo: Rodney Dilon with NIAA’s Lexine Solomon, from the VicTas team.]

At Charles Perkins House in Canberra, CEO Jody Broun hosted a panel discussion with Deputy CEOs Letitia Hope and Blair Exell and Group Manager Julie-Ann Guivarra on what reconciliation means to them. The Komet Torres Strait Islander Art & Culture Group also inspired staff with a dance collection and interactive audience call-and-response from the Torres Strait to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of Mabo Day.

[Photo: Komet Torres Strait Islander Art & Culture Group performing at Charles Perkins House.]