It's back to work and school for many this month, so while you're organising your calendar for the year here’s my top seven dates to mark in your workplace to support Aboriginal employment.

By marking these dates each year you’ll give yourself the opportunity to:
    •    Raise awareness and levels of knowledge of Aboriginal experience and perspectives
    •    Show your support and commitment to Aboriginal staff and clients
    •    Demonstrate your organisation values and keep Aboriginal employment goals top of mind
    •    Connect with local communities
    •    Meet your obligations under your Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).  If you have one, you’ve more than likely made a commitment to hold or attend events throughout the year.

Plan Ahead

    •    Mark these dates in your calendar
    •    Choose 2 or 3 to focus on.  You’re better off doing something substantial for one or two occasions plus a couple of smaller events, rather than doing many things that won’t have an impact.
    •    Look for existing local community events, or hold your own event (morning tea, guest speaker, or film screening?) for staff to mark the occasion
    •    Wherever possible, it’s a good idea to link the event to your Aboriginal employment goals

So, here’s the top seven dates for 2018. There’s tons of relevant materials on the web for these dates so check them out.

26 January

Survival Day (also called the Day of Mourning and Protest or Invasion Day) in 2018 marks 230 years since the First Fleet landing in Sydney Cove. (1788)
NITV has put together an 'explainer' on the topic and you can access the resource by clicking here.
Also marks the anniversary of the Tent Embassy being established on the lawns of Parliament House. (1972)

13 February

Anniversary of the Apology given by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. (2008)
The Closing The Gap Prime Minister's Report is also due to be tabled in Parliament.
You can find more information about the Apology and the Closing The Gap reports by clicking here.

19 March

National Close the Gap Day is a Oxfam campaign to draw attention to the lower life expectancy of Aboriginal people and promote action to achieve health equality by 2030. (2006)
This is separate and distinct from the government’s Closing the Gap policy framework and report mentioned above.
You can learn more about the day by visiting the Oxfam website or clicking here.

26 May

National Sorry Day marks the anniversary of the Bringing Them Home Report into the Stolen Generations. (1997)
The Bringing Them Home Report details the policy and practice of the forcible removal of Aboriginal children from their families.
You can download a copy of the report from the Australian Human Rights Commission by clicking here.

27 May

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) begins.
Anniversary of the 1967 Referendum where voting Australians voted overwhelmingly in support of Aboriginal people being counted in the census, and allowing the federal government to make laws for Aboriginal people. (1967)
At the time of writing, the 2018 NRW theme had not been announced. You can learn more and keep up to date about NRW by clicking here.

3 June

National Reconciliation Week ends.
Mabo Day marks the High Court decision that overturned the fiction of Terra Nullius and established 'native title'. (1992)
Information on Mabo Day and its significance can be found by clicking here.

8 - 15 July

NAIDOC Week 2018 theme is "Because of her, we can"
NAIDOC celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, people, and communities.  This year's theme specifically highlights and commemorates our women's contribution to our families, communities, and plight.  You can learn more about the 2018 theme by clicking here.
There’ll be plenty of local events during this week, so keep an eye out as the date gets closer and get involved.

What will you be doing to recognise Aboriginal experience and mark these important dates this year?  Please share your ideas and plans for your workplace in the comments below.

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