Reconciliation Week

Reconciliation Week is 27 May 2012 to 3 June 2012.

Here are some stories and illustrations from 1/2M explaining 'What Reconciliation Means to Me'. More illustrations can be found here.

We should find out more about our history. Uluru is a very sacred place to Aboriginal and some other Australians. Aboriginal people were around for 60,000 years. They hold the memories and are the custodians of our land. Long, long ago and now live Australian animals like the dingo, kookaburra, cockatoo and koala. There are Dreamtime stories about how they came to be. The Dolphin Roolyanga, The Elusive Bindar and Why the Emu cannot fly are some of these stories. Reconciliation means a lot to me. By Elodie C

It means respect the past. Kids should learn about Dreamtime stories. It is important to say 'no‘ to racism. Learning Dreamtime stories is good. At school we learned a lot about Jayawah the crocodile. It is a Dreamtime story. By Michael T

Reconciliation means no racism. No more fighting and respect Aboriginal cultures. Also respect the past. The Aboriginal people have been here for 60,000 years. No more stealing kids.
When the white people stole their kids the Prime Minister said sorry. Aboriginal people hold the memories and are the custodians of this land. When the white people came they wanted to call Uluru Ayer‘s Rock but one day they all agreed it should be called Uluru. Uluru is a very amazing place so you must be very careful of it. It should be cared for. I also think that you should listen to the older Aboriginal men. The custodians of this land are the Aboriginal people. Reconciliation week is great. By Tiani H

Reconciliation is learning about the government saying sorry. The Prime Minister said sorry because of the Aboriginal people who died. It is important to learn about Aboriginal history. I feel sorry that the white  people killed the Indigenous people. Learning about Aboriginal language is fun. People saying no to racism is part of reconciliation. By Ayla B

It is important to start to learn about Indigenous history. Reconciliation means respect for the culture now. It is about learning about saying sorry. Saying no to racism is part of reconciliation. Learning Dreamtime stories is another thing about reconciliation. It is good to respect Indigenous culture. Celebrating talented Indigenous Australians is good. Aboriginal people have been in Australia for 60,000 years. Respect the Aboriginal people and thank them for looking after our country. By Ivy G

It means :
• Learning about Aboriginal culture like the symbolsused in art.
• Not climbing Uluru. It says that on the sign.
• Don‘t call Ulura Ayers Rock
• Learning Dreamtime stories
• Respecting the Elders. Listen to people who are older than you. Let Elders dance, watch and learn.
• Saying - 'no' to racism.
• Going to the Tent Embassy

By Kestrel A