Flinders University’s collective vision is to foster an environment that recognises and embraces Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, knowledges and cultures. Grounded in the concepts of togetherness, reciprocity, and respect, an exciting selection of events has been scheduled to commemorate National Reconciliation Week (27 May to 3 June) and the launch of the University’s first Reconciliation Action Plan.
National Reconciliation Week (NRW) runs annually, connecting two milestone dates in Australia’s reconciliation journey: the 1967 referendum and the historic 1992 Mabo decision.
The path to reconciliation is a whole-of-University responsibility and as such, our University’s Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) will launch on Monday. The development of the RAP commenced in July 2019 and has been a significant occasion in the history of the University and broader, as the national momentum builds towards achieving genuine reconciliation.
The Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan will be available to view at https://flinders.edu.au/rap from Monday, 1 June 2020.
Staff are invited to join a range of online events to mark NRW, our RAP milestone, and be a part of the next big steps in our nation’s reconciliation journey.
Staff may also be interested to note that NAIDOC Week (scheduled for 5 to 12 July 2020) has been postponed this year by the national committee, in the hope that in-person celebrations can take place at a later date.
Flinders University National Reconciliation Week and Reconciliation Action Plan Program of events
Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony
Where: Online at flinders.edu.au/nrw
When: Wednesday, 27 May at 10am (ACST)
Online Launch: Reconciliation Week Action Plan and ‘In the Hold’ Exhibition | Decolonising Cook in contemporary Australian art
This exhibition brings together brazen, complex and compelling works that defy traditional representations of Captain Cook as a cultural and historical luminary and re-position him as a contested figure.
Where: Online at flinders.edu.au/nrw
When: Monday, 1 June at 2pm (ACST)
Inaugural Uncle Lewis Yarluburka O’Brien Public Lecture
Topic: Reconciliation thinking and you featuring Professor Tom Calma AO.
A Kungarakan Aboriginal Elder and member of the Iwaidja community, Professor Calma has led Indigenous justice through senior roles including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, and Race Discrimination Commissioner. His many influential past roles include Chancellor of the University of Canberra and he remains a strong voice towards reconciliation, contributing his knowledge and expertise on boards and advisory committees.
Where: Online at flinders.edu.au/nrw
When: Tuesday, 2 June at 5.30pm (ACST)
Don Dunstan event
Staff may also be interested in the Don Dunstan Foundations’ National Reconciliation Week event. Flinders University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous) Associate Professor Simone Ulalka Tur will present, together with Professor Shane Hearn from the University of Adelaide and Professor Irene Watson from the University of South Australia.
Topic: Influencing our influencers – how to build reconciliation together
Where: Online, register for free as a Flinders University staff member using discount code FLIN, at: https://events.humanitix.com/influencing-our-influencers
When: Thursday, 28 May at 12noon