Today is Reconciliation Day. It a time to reflect and to learn about our shared histories and cultures, and to explore how we can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. It is a time to reflect on our past, the ongoing impacts of colonisation and the work we need to do to heal and close the gap.
This year’s theme for Reconciliation Day is: Be Brave, Make Change.
Reconciliation Day falls during Reconciliation Week, which takes place across Australia from 27 May (anniversary of the 1967 Referendum) to 3 June (Mabo Day) each year.
Here in our Micro-Forest community we are connecting to our shared history in small but meaningful ways as we journey to care for the park. We have held a Cultural Site Assessment, Ngunawal Language Workshop and a Bush Foods and Ngunawal Culture Session. Through Tunderstone, we have asked the Traditional Custodians of this land, the Ngunawal people, to develop a Ngunawal language name for our park. We look forward to developing Ngunawal language signage and displaying Ngunawal artwork in the park. These steps are only small steps, but they are steps in the right direction. And we looking forward to further building our understanding and connection to this land and the Traditional Custodians as we grow.
This picture below was taken at the Micro-Forest over the weekend, with wonderful artwork on this tree guard from a Kingsford Smith School Student.
The Aboriginal Flag is divided horizontally into equal halves of black (top) and red (bottom), with a yellow circle in the centre. The black symbolises Aboriginal people. The yellow represents the sun, the constant re-newer of life. Red depicts the earth and peoples’ relationship to the land.
Holt Micro-Forest 