What is Reconciliation?

Reconciliation Australia: What is Reconciliation?
At its heart, reconciliation is about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples, for the benefit of all Australians.
Creative Spirits : What you need to know about reconciliation
More and more Australians want to learn about reconciliation with Aboriginal people: What's the meaning of reconciliation? How can you contribute? And what is a RAP? Here are your answers.
ANTaR : Reconciliation
* Background: 1991 - 2008
* First Nations Peoples' culture, society and leadership and responses to the Reconciliation Process
* 2008 - Present
Bringing Them Home
Australian Human Rights Commission
Why is Reconciliation important to modern Australia?
* What Is Reconciliation, Why Does It Matter?
* What Is Reconciliation Not?
* Beyond History

Voice to Parliament

Danzal Baker - Baker Boy

Born in Darwin and raised in the remote NT communities Milingimbi and Maningrida, Danzal Baker, known professionally as Baker Boy, is an Australian rapper, dancer, artist, and actor. A dynamic performer, Baker Boy is best known for his original hip-hop songs incorporating both English and Yolŋgu Matha. In January, Danzal was named Young Australian of the Year 2019.

Click on Reconciliation News to read the interview with Baker Boy.

Danzal Baker - Baker Boy

As the 2019 Young Australian of the Year, Danzal Baker/ Baker Boy, focuses his talents as a poet, rap artist, and role model to showcase his Indigenous culture for young Australians, and encourage them to embrace their culture and keep on track so they can become the next leaders.

“. . . My music shows two worlds coming together . . . everyone loves music, everyone listens to music . . . not just hip-hop. . . all different genres of music. When you listen to it, you just get that feeling . . . I rap in English and in Yolngu Maltha, my language . . . to show my side of the story . . . I want to inspire the next generation to keep pushing and keep trying . . . It's important that, no matter the struggles and the pressure society puts on you, stay strong, healthy and positive, you will get through. Every single one of us matters, our stories, our voices matter. With love and respect, we have the power to shape the future."

National Reconciliation Week 2022 - Be Brave. Make Change.

SHIRLEY PURDIE: MY STORY, NGAGINYBE JARRAGBE

SHIRLEY PURDIE: MY STORY, NGAGINYBE JARRAGBE SHIRLEY PURDIE AUTHOR and ILLUSTRATOR

Magabala Image of Shirley Courtesy Warmun Art Centre

Shirley Purdie is a famous Australian artist who lives in Warmun community, in the remote Kimberley region of Western Australia. This is her first children’s picture book.

When asked about what it means to share her story with children, Shirley said “Good to put it in painting, your Country, so kids can know and understand. When the old people die, young people can read the stories from the paintings. They can learn from the paintings and maybe they want to start painting too.”

In her book, Shirley Purdie: Ngaginybe Jarragbe My Story, Shirley tells us about her life growing up on Mabel Downs station, and about her Gija Culture, Country and Dreaming. She explains why her Dreaming is Echidna Dreaming and she teaches us about bush fruit and hunting. She also tells us about her working life, as a maid working in the homestead on Mabel Downs station, and later in life as an artist, and how her mum taught her how to paint her Country. Shirley is well-known for painting with richly textured ochre and charcoal.

You can see more of her artwork at https://warmunart.com.au/art/artists/senior/shirley-purdie/

[Images “Courtesy of the artist and Magabala Books”]

My People Die Young in this Country - Stan Grant Speech 2015

Apology to Australia's Indigenous People's - Kevin Rudd 2008

The Redfern Speech - Paul Keating 1993

The 1967 Referendum

Indigenous Australian Land Rights - BTN

Reconciliation Australia - Reconciliation Action Plan

Linda Burney reflects on 20 Years of Reconciliation and what still needs to be done.

Feature Books in our Library

Collecting Colour by Kylie Dunstan
Call Number: PB DUN
Publication Date: 2008
Playground by Nadia Wheatley; Ken Searle (Illustrator); Jackie Huggins (Contribution by)
Publication Date: 2010
With stunning photographs and illustrations, this book is a fascinating insight, from earliest times to today, into the experiences of Indigenous children, whose land was, and is, their playground There are things which Indigenous children have been doing for thousands upon thousands of years. In traditional times, kids didn't have to go to school. The land was their school, and their playground. Since European people have come to Australia, Aboriginal children have taken on some new games and toys, but they have continued to practice their culture. Whether they live on a remote outstation or in a busy city, Indigenous kids are still learning from country, and from their community.
Maralinga by Yalata and Oak Valley Communities Staff; Christobel Mattingley
Publication Date: 2009
Maralinga: The Anangu Story is our story. We have told it for our children, our grandchildren and their children. We have told it for you. In words and pictures Yalata and Oak Valley community members, with author Christobel Mattingley, describe what happened in the Maralinga Tjarutja lands of South Australia before the bombs and after.
Come together : things every Aussie kid should know about the First Peoples by Isaiah Firebrace ; illustrations by Jaelyn Biumaiwai ; design by Keisha Leon.
Publication Date: 2022.
Australia's First Peoples have lived on this land for many thousands of years, so there are many exciting things they can teach us! In Come together, Yorta Yorta and Gunditjmara man and musician Isaiah Firebrace shares 20 of the most important subjects that all kids should understand, from caring for Country and Dreaming stories, to the importance of Elders and the Indigenous origins of AFL. The more we can all learn about each other, the better we can understand each other and live together in harmony. So let's come togeather and be proud that we are home to the strongest continuing culture on Earth!

Australian of The Year 2020: Archie Roach, songwriter and Indigenous Campaigner

Archie Roach looks back on a remarkable life.

Took The Children Away by Archie Roach Illustrated by Ruby Hunter.

Took The Children Away by Archie Roach Illustrated by Ruby Hunter
Call Number: PB F ROA
Publication Date: 2020
Archie Roach AM’s deeply personal song, ‘Took the Children Away’, from his 1990 debut album, Charcoal Lane, was the first song ever to receive a prestigious Australian Human Rights Award. Its impact was immediate, shining a stark light on Australia’s shameful past practices of removing children from their families. The song also speaks of love and reconnection and has travelled across seas into the hearts of First Nations communities everywhere.
One dark day, when Archie was just two years old, big black government cars came to his home at Framlingham Aboriginal Mission in southwest Victoria. They forcibly took Archie away from his mother, father and family – everything he had ever known. They took away thousands of other Aboriginal children, right around Australia. Powerful people had decided that these children would be better off living and learning all the white man’s ways. Frightened and alone, they grew up in institutions and foster homes. They became known as the Stolen Generations.
Ruby Hunter was one of those children, too, only eight when she was taken from the loving arms of her grandmother living on the Coorong in South Australia.
Archie and Ruby met and fell in love as homeless teenagers and Archie started writing songs to help ease his pain. Archie’s songs, loved by fans worldwide, tell a powerful story of survival and renewal, and the healing power of music.
In this special 30th anniversary edition, Archie’s iconic lyrics sit alongside evocative illustrations by his beloved soulmate and musical collaborator, Ruby Hunter. Also included are Archie’s recollections of his family and rare historical photographs.

Tel Me Why by Archie Roach
Call Number: F ROA
‘There are many Australian stories, and mine is just one about what happened to me and other First Peoples of this country. It’s important for me to tell my story – because it’s not just part of my healing but of this country’s as well. We all have a story and as you read this book I would like you to think of your own story, what that means and who is also a part of your story.’

In his inspirational, highly acclaimed memoir – and including reflections from First Nations Elders and young people – Archie Roach tells the story of his life and his music. Only two when he was forcibly removed from his family, and brought up by a series of foster parents until his early teens, Archie’s world imploded when he received a letter that spoke of a life he had no memory of. It took him almost a lifetime to find out who he really was.

Tell Me Why is an unforgettable story of resilience, strength of spirit and hope.

Sorry Day by Coral Vass & Illustrated by Dub Leffler

Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu

Gurrumul Yunupingu 1971 – 2017

Gurrumul was raised on Elcho Island, off the coast of North East Arnhem Land, as a member of the Gumatj clan. Born blind, his powerfully emotive yet fragile voice has affected the public unlike any other Australian artist. His songs covered themes of identity, spirit, connection with the land and its elements across multiple Yolngu languages as well as English. The depth of his music, his stage presence, combined with his captivating high tenor voice incited emotion, compassion and a feeling of peacefulness within Australian and international audiences alike.

Of course Gurrumul played guitar, not just any old way he played it, he played a right handed guitar but he was left handed so he simply turned it upside down and proceeded to learn how to play it completely by ear.

Click on the link below to take you to the Gurumul Yunupingu Foundation.

Gurrumul Yunupingu Foundation. (n.d.). Gurrumul Yunupingu Foundation. Retrieved May 26, 2023 from https://gurrumulfoundation.org.au/

Feature Books In Our Library

Our Race for Reconciliation by Anita Heiss
Call Number: F HEI
Publication Date: 2017
Mel Gordon loves running, and watching Seinfeld, but mostly she loves Cathy Freeman. It's 2000 and the Olympics are going to be held in Australia. In a year of surprises, Mel finds out that Cathy Freeman is coming to talk to her school. And her family is heading to Sydney! It becomes an unforgettable journey to Corroboree 2000, bringing together all Australians as they march and sing and celebrate Australia's Indigenous heritage and also acknowledge past wrong.
Welcome to Country by Joy Murphy
Call Number: PB 305.89 MUR
Publication Date: 2016
Welcome to the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri People. We are part of this land and the land is part of us. This is where we come from. Aunty Joy Wandin Murphy is a most respected senior Wurundjeri elder of the Kulin alliance. This is a very accessible welcome that introduces and gives meaning and explanation within the text to the customs and symbols of Indigenous Australia.
Stories for Simon by Lisa Miranda Sarzin; Lauren Briggs (Illustrator); Vic Simms (Foreword by)
Publication Date: 2015-09-01
A beautiful story of acknowledging the past and working together for a brighter future When Simon unwraps a beautiful boomerang wrapped in an old newspaper, he learns of the national apology to the Stolen Generations. Who were the Stolen Generations and how can saying "sorry" help? Through a new friendship and a magnificent collection of stories, Simon gains a deep appreciation of the past and a positive vision for the future. Includes a foreword by Bidjigal Elder Vic Simms and endorsement from Adam Goodes, Australian of the Year 2014.
Charle's Swim by Edith Wright ; [illustrations], Charmaine Ledden-Lewis.
ISBN: 9781922613103
Publication Date: 2022
During WWII after the Japanese invasion of Java, more than 1000 refugees from the Dutch East Indies, many in flying boats, passed through Broome, which was a major refuelling point and a significant Allied military base. On 3 March 1942 Broome was attacked by Japanese fighter planes, killing at least 88 civilians and Allied military personnel. Charlie's Swim is based on the true story of the author's Uncle Charlie (Charles D'Antoine) who was working inside a flying boat when the attack began. In the midst of flying bullets, blazing fires and sharks, Charlie saw a woman and child desperately trying to keep afloat and without hesitation went to their rescue. In 1944, Charlie was awarded a Certificate of Merit from the Royal Humane Society of Australasia in recognition of his efforts and he was awarded four medals for bravery from the Dutch government. It took a further 80 years for the Australian government and military to formally recognise this bravery.