National Reconciliation Week

MLC School continues to progress our recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and our understanding of their culture.

On Wednesday 1 June 2022, all teaching staff spent time working with Tim Lennon, our Director of Indigenous Education, to learn more about providing a culturally safe classroom and the importance of story and connection in Indigenous culture. He also challenged each of us to write an Acknowledgement of Country that was specific to our academic department or a particular event. 

In a very fortunate coincidence, the Design, Art and Technology (DART) Department hosted Hermannsburg artists from Iltja Ntjarra Many Hands Arts Centre. Students were able to work alongside the artists, learning a number of remarkable techniques including multiple plate etching, and listened to the fascinating stories of the artists’ childhood. While it had been planned that they visit earlier in the year, having them here in the same week helped to bring to life the importance of shared understanding; and the unique knowledge and skills of our First Nations people. We have so much to learn.

What is National Reconciliation Week? Tim Lennon, Director of Indigenous Education

This term I have been taking my son to his Sacrament of Reconciliation classes at our Catholic church. We have learnt about how reconciliation is about repairing relationships. It is more than just saying sorry. It requires action. You need to attempt to address the cause of the hurt that has been inflicted. That is the point of National Reconciliation Week (NRW). It is a time for non-Indigenous Australians to stop and reflect on the injustices that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people face and commit to righting those wrongs. But what does that look like? In a Twitter thread Luke Pearson founder of Indigenous X posed these questions:

“What do your aspirations for reconciliation look like? Is it the implementation of the UNDRIP (United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People), a treaty, a voice to parliament, closing the gap, Aboriginal artworks in your workplace lobby, a poster of a white hand shaking a black hand, having an Indigenous PM? 

Do your aspirations focus on the need for empowerment, for self-determination, for the removal of obstacles to Indigenous rights, stopping Black deaths in custody, land back; or do they mainly focus on you having more cultural experiences, and maybe even a few Indigenous friends? 

What are you actively doing to see your aspirations are being realised?

Are your attitudes, comments, actions, reactions, and interactions consistent with your stated aspirations?” 

This year’s NRW theme “Be Brave. Make Change” is a clear call to a school whose mission is to educate girls to be courageous agents of change. We need to take our lead from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and walk beside them to address ongoing injustices. Only then will true reconciliation be achieved”.

– Lisa Moloney
Principal