News

As we come to the close of 2021, we look at some recent events in the media that have important bearing on reconciliation in education going into the new year, and beyond.

Reconciliation Australia is delighted to announce the winners of the third Narragunnawali Awards; the national awards that recognise and celebrate Australian schools and early learning services that are implementing outstanding reconciliation initiatives.

A new three-part series on the ABC, The School That Tried to End Racism follows a group of primary school students engaged in a ground-breaking pilot program, tracking their growth in recognising and addressing issues of racism, prejudice and stereotyping. There are ABC and Narragunnawali resources to complement this series as a teaching resource.

This issue of Narragunnawali News will touch upon how each of us has the capacity to contribute to the national narrative of reconciliation, most effectively when we strive to move from safe to brave.

Language is itself active, and can impact on attitudes, understandings and relationships in a very real sense. We look at how these media stories shed light on the important relationship between language and action in moving our nation’s reconciliation journey from safe to brave.

Dr Naomi Priest looks at how social factors and social forces – such as racism – impact the health of our population. Find out more about the three levels of racism and how projects like Speak Out Against Racism can help schools implement effective anti-racism action.

Meet the six finalists for the 2021 Narragunnawali Awards, selected by our judging panel for doing great things for reconciliation in their communities. The winners will be announced at the Australian Reconciliation Convention.

The judging panel of the Narragunnawali Awards 2021 – Geraldine Atkinson, Sharon Davis and Professor Peter Buckskin – have decided the finalists for the 2021 awards.

The Australian Curriculum is currently under review. A key part of the review is to strengthen existing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures cross-curriculum priority. Educational communities are encouraged to learn about the review of, and proposed revisions to, the Australian Curriculum, and how these can support a stronger future of reconciliation in education.

Meet the artist behind the NRW 2021 Poster artwork ‘Action’. Warumungu/Wombaya descendant Jessica Johnson speaks to her art, challenges she has faced as an Aboriginal woman, and where the onus of reconciliation really lies.

This article asks readers the questions of how we as individuals, can use national and international dialogues of truth, justice and reconciliation to enact positive change in our own communities.

This year’s NRW theme is asking you to call out tokenism and to get more ‘comfortable in the uncomfortable.’ Celebrating 20 years of Reconciliation Australia, it’s time for all of us to move from ‘safe to brave’. The Narragunnawali NRW resources are here to support your ideas around taking positive action.

The Narragunnawali team are excited to officially launch a new three-part webinar series that provides an introduction to the concept and context of reconciliation in Australia, explores the importance of using respectful and inclusive language, and provides advice on how to take practical and informed action towards reconciliation in education and more!

Recognising the unique challenges education services experienced through COVID-19, the team at Coromandel Valley Kindergarten share how they had to get creative and think outside the box continuing reconciliation activities in lockdown, in the service, and safely with the local community and organisations.

Education, schools and early learning services around the country play important roles in how we move forward into the brave space of reconciliation. With challenging days and conversations ahead, this report provides great insights to where you next most powerful step may be.