Get ready for Reconciliation Week

Posted in Culture

Reconciliation Week is a time to build mutually respectful relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Achieving reconciliation involves raising awareness and knowledge of Indigenous history and culture, changing attitudes that are often based on myths and misunderstandings, and encouraging action.

This year Sorry Day (26 May), falls on the Sunday immediately preceding Reconciliation Week (27 May to 3 June). There are several activities happening during Reconciliation Week.

Blackwood Uniting Church, for instance, will be hosting a walk from 11:00am to Colebrook Reconciliation Park where the Colebrook Training Home once stood. Between 1943 and 1972, some 350 Aboriginal children lived here, isolated from their families and the beloved land of their ancestors. Following the walk there will be a host of activities until 2:30pm).

For a far more robust list of activities happening in and around Adelaide on the weekend leading up to, and the week of Reconciliation Week, please find more information on the UCASA website.

There are also several resources available for congregations to assist with their preparations for Sorry Day and/or Reconciliation Week on the UCASA website. Resources include information on:
  • the Oodnadatta Faith Community fundraiser (Pilgrimage of Healing 2019);
  • an Order of Service prepared by Pilgrim Uniting Church for 26 May;
  • Anagu Token of Grief Article; a Reflection on John 5:1-9;
  • The Lord's Prayer in Kaurna;
  • The UCA Assembly Covenanting Statement;
  • The narrated Whale Story
  • and much more.
On 1 June there is a Walking on Country Daytrip with Sean Weetra to the Murraylands, and following the Reconciliation Week activities on 15-30 June, there is a Walking on Country tour organised by the UCA Synod of NSW and ACT which people are welcome to join, especially as they will be visiting a number of South Australian venues.


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