The Queensland Government has contributed more than $125,000 in grants and funding to support community events for National Reconciliation Week this year.
A total of $100,000 in grants was dissipated across 41 Queensland organisations such as AFL Cape York, Surf Life Saving Queensland, Run for Reconciliation Queensland, Murra Pathways, and Netball Queensland.
These government grants were awarded to assist organisations with their Reconciliation Week events and further advance the acts of reconciliation.
Being a not-for-profit organisation that has led the nationwide movement, Reconciliation Queensland was also gifted an extra $25,000 to support its 25th anniversary events.
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Fiona Simpson congratulated the organisation for its milestone anniversary of uniting the country by educating and addressing past wrongs.
“In accordance with the National Reconciliation Week theme, the Crisafulli Government believes we build a bridge to the next by establishing strong foundations, building dignity, and improving the quality of life in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities — no matter where they are located,” Simpson says.
The year’s theme, Bridging Now to Next, aims to reflect the ongoing connection between past, present, and future.
“The Crisafulli Government is committed to practical reconciliation by delivering projects, designed in partnership with Indigenous leaders, which improve living standards in our First Australians’ communities and increase access to better healthcare, housing, and education,” Simpson says.
In conjunction with this week’s celebrations, significant landmarks across the state will be lit up with the colours of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags. This includes Kurilpa bridge, Neville Bonner bridge, Queensland Parliament, Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, and the Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville.
National Reconciliation Week runs from 27 May until 3 June, following National Sorry Day on 26 May.
National Sorry Day was first held in 1998 to recognise and acknowledge the effects of the Stolen Generations and the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The week will close with celebrations on Mabo Day, which acts to commemorate its self-titled legal case that recognised the land rights of the traditional owners of the Murray Islands, the Meriam people.
Write to Maddison Elliott at Mining.com.au
Images: Reconciliation Australia
