30 May 2022
It’s been an eventful couple of weeks leading to the start of Reconciliation Week, 2022.
Reconciliation SA 20th Birthday
As supporters of Reconciliation SA AILA SA received an invitation to attend their recent 20-year anniversary event for members and friends on May 19, 2022.
Keith Davis FAILA - SA Executive and Paul Munaitya Herzich - Cultural Ambassador, AILA Connection to Country Committee attended on behalf of the AILA and this is what Keith had to say.
At a celebratory event held aloft the western stand of the Adelaide Oval, Reconciliation SA marked 20 years of active promotion, support, education and advocacy for the Reconciliation movement.
Acknowledged by the current co-chairs Helen Connolly and Professor Peter Buckskin, the 20 years of remarkable achievement owes much to the numerous patrons, board members, broader membership (to which AILA SA is a proud member) and staff, currently led ably by CEO Shona Reid.
After beginning proceedings with Welcome to Country from Jack Buckskin, the most impassioned moment came with the call from Sally Scales for the realisation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart. A prescient rallying cry directed deliberately at the Australian people, now with all the more potency and potential after the Federal election result.
AILA SA through the SA Connection to Country Committee looks forward to the next 20 years of deeper understanding and greater inclusion of First Nations people in all aspects of our shared endeavours in the fabric of South Australia’s cultural landscape.
In 1967 we were counted, in 2017 we seek to be heard. We leave base camp and start our trek across this vast country. We invite you to walk with us in a movement of the Australian people for a better future. (Referendum Council – Uluru – National Convention)
Keith Davis FAILA - AILA SA Executive.
Uluru Statement from the Heart
The recent election and change of Government led to a commitment by the new Labor Government to finally honour the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full which would mean undertaking a referendum seeking support for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament and to enshrine this in Australia’s Constitution.
Anthony Albanese began his victory speech at the Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL Club in Sydney to say this "I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet. I pay my respects to their elders past, present and emerging. And on behalf of the Australian Labor Party, I commit to the Uluru Statement from the heart in full.”
This is just the start to a long journey that has been a long time coming.
Lot 50 Kanyanyapilla
Following our inaugural Connection to Country Conversation with Dr Gavin Malone and special guest Karl Telfer we have arranged a visit to the bicultural ecological project that is Lot 50 Kanyanyapilla or L50K.
The Lot 50K walk & Talk with Dr Gavin Malone and Karl Winda Telfer on Saturday 9 July from 2 to 4pm with the option to stay for a yarn afterwards. Please BYO drinks and nibbles if you are staying after the tour. Glasses, seats, and yarning provided. https://lot50kanyanyapilla.com/
Click Here to register- limited spaces available.
Listen to the recording of our recent Connection to Country Conversation with Dr Gavin Malone and special guest Karl Telfer - Click Here
National Reconciliation Week
Finally, Be sure to check out all the events over the next week as part of Reconciliation Week. We are sharing a number of ideas for you over the week through social media and in the newsletter.
Reconciliation SA – Click Here
Reconciliation Australia – Click Here
Get in touch if you have any ideas for how AILA SA can support your reconciliation journey.
Paul Harding FAILA
Chair - AILA SA Connection to Country Committee