Today at midday, consider joining Indigenous Australians in a National Acknowledgement of Country to show respect for our nation’s Traditional Owners.

Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan said National Reconciliation Week runs until next Wednesday and this year’s theme is In This Together.

“Today and the whole of this week is an opportunity for our community to think about what reconciliation means and what practical steps can be taken to build trust with and respect Indigenous Australians,” he said.

“Growing up in Kempsey, I learnt a lot from Aboriginal people and was impressed, from a young age, by their commitment and care for each other and their community.

“I’m going to take part in the National Acknowledgement of Country at 12pm today to honour the Dunghutti, Gumbaynggirr and Birpai people on whose land I live and work.”

Minister for Indigenous Australians, Ken Wyatt AM, said National Reconciliation Week draws our attention each year to the ongoing efforts to walk together with a shared purpose, and to build a stronger future for all Australians.

Mr Wyatt said this week the Morrison-McCormack Government committed $10.8 million over three years for Reconciliation Australia to continue their valuable work to build reconciliation.

“For two decades, Reconciliation Australia has worked to improve relationships between Indigenous and other Australians, by building respect, trust and opportunities among individuals, organisations, schools and communities,” Mr Wyatt said.

“Through its Australian Reconciliation Barometer and Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) program, Reconciliation Australia has provided significant momentum to empower people to build a better future for all of us.

“Tens of thousands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are benefiting from job creation, education opportunities and business transactions created through RAP actions.”

For more information about Reconciliation Week visit reconciliation.org.au or indigenous.gov.au

If you participate in the National Acknowledgement of Country, consider posting a video of your acknowledgement to your social media platforms using the #InThisTogether2020 and #NRW2020 hashtags.