Survival Day commemorates the survival of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culture since 1788, recognising maintenance of their traditions, continuing care of the land and making their voices heard.
Workplace activities
You can take part in Survival Day events and festivals in your local area such as Yabun Festival or the Saltwater Freshwater Festival.
This is the anniversary of the National Apology, made by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, to Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly the Stolen Generations.
The National Apology to the Stolen Generations was a recommendation from The National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal Children from their Families, as published in the 1997 Bringing them Home Report by the Australian Human Rights Commission.
Visit the Australian Government website to listen to the National Apology to Australia’s Indigenous peoples – you can also access sign language and audio description versions.
Have a conversation with your work team and colleagues to talk about the National Apology, its meaning and our progress in healing since 2008.
Create a yarning circle to talk about the National Apology and progress in making reparations and healing since 2008.
What is Yarning?
Yarning is a conversational process that involves the sharing of stories and developing knowledge. It is a way of communicating in a culturally prescribed, cooperative, and respectful manner.
How do you make a Yarning circle?
Sit together in a circle and pass around a “talking piece“ (this is an object used to identify the speaker). Each speaker speaks spontaneously, is to the point and expresses his/her experience while the others listen with an open heart, without judgement or preconceived ideas.
Harmony Week celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity and the importance of making our society inclusive and respectful so everyone can feel a sense of belonging.
Workplace activities
Visit the Australian Government’s Harmony Week event website for information on events in your local area, resources to promote Harmony Week and ideas for hosting events at work
National Close the Gap Day is an initiative of the National Close the Gap Campaign for individuals and organisations to pledge support for achieving Indigenous health equality by 2030.
Aboriginal people have a gap of almost 10 years in the average life expectancy than non-Aboriginal Australians.
Workplace activities
Visit the Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTaR) website to check for events or register your own event and to access resources to promote National Close the Gap Day.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans’ Diggers March (ANZAC day celebration)
Why it's important
The diggers march is a key commemorative event on ANZAC Day that recognises all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander servicemen and servicewomen who have served, or continue to serve, Australia
Workplace activities
Hold an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander veterans’ commemorative event or participate in the diggers march
Visit the RSL NSW website for information on commemorative events that honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander veterans on ANZAC day
The Uluru Statement from the Heart is an invitation from First Nations to “walk with us in a movement of the Australian people for a better future”.
The Uluru Statement calls for a new relationship between First Nations and the Australian nation based on justice and self-determination where Aboriginal cultures and peoples can flourish, and we all move forward.
It was issued to the Australian people in May 2017.
Hold an event to acknowledge the meaning of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and discuss how to form new relationships between Aboriginal people and the Australian nation based on justice and
self-determination.
Visit the Uluru Statement website for more information and advice on how to get involved.
National Sorry Day acknowledges the Stolen Generations who were forcibly removed from their families and communities. It is an opportunity to learn about and reflect on the experiences of the Stolen Generations and recognising the healing power of saying sorry.
It is held on the anniversary of the tabling of the 1997 Bringing them Home Report in Parliament. This was the national inquiry into the separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families – it is a tribute to those affected by forcible removal policies.
In the 1967 Referendum, 90.77% of Australians voted yes to change the Constitution to allow the Commonwealth to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and for their inclusion in the census.
Prior to this only the states could make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples – this meant laws could vary significantly from state to state.
Workplace activities
Understand the significance and distinguish the facts and fictions about the 1967 Referendum through a variety of resources:
National Reconciliation Week is a time to learn about our shared histories, cultures, achievements, and explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
It includes two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey — the successful 1967 referendum that changed the Constitution and the High Court Mabo decision.
Each year Reconciliation Australia promote a reconciliation theme with supporting resources.
Workplace activities
Visit Reconciliation Australia’s website for resources to help you get involved in this year’s Reconciliation Week and check out their online cultural awareness training package.
The NSW Indigenous Veterans Ceremony commemorates the service and sacrifice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who have fought for Australia in every major conflict since the Boer War
Workplace activities
Organise a workplace function, such as a morning or afternoon tea and invite an Aboriginal ex-servicemen and ex-servicewomen to speak. The RSL NSW website can help you plan such an event.
The Torres Strait Islander flag was designed by the late Bernard Namok of Thursday Island. The flag symbolises the unity and identity of all Torres Strait Islanders.
In 1992 the flag was recognised by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) and given equal prominence with the Australian Aboriginal Flag.
Mabo Day commemorates Eddie Mabo, a Torres Strait Islander who fought for recognition of the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the traditional owners of their land
The Mabo decision was made by the High Court on 3 June 1992
The Mabo decision helped establish a legal framework for native title claims
Workplace activities
Learn more about Eddie Mabo and the Mabo case and decision from a variety of sources including:
NAIDOC (National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee) Week recognises the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
The Aboriginal flag was first raised on 12 July 1971 on National Aborigine’s Day (a precursor to NAIDOC week) in Victoria Square, Adelaide.
The flag become a recognisable symbol of the Aboriginal people of Australia and is flown during NAIDOC Week and Reconciliation Week.
The Australian Aboriginal flag was officially declared a proclaimed flag of Australia on 14 July 1995, which means it holds special political and legal status.
National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Children's Day
Why it's important
Children’s Day is a time Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities, and all Australians, celebrate the strengths and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
It is a chance for us to learn about the importance of culture, family and community in the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
Workplace activities
Host a Children’s Day event with a morning tea, cultural exchanges, performances, competitions, games and activities.
Invite an Aboriginal Elder or community representative to talk about Children’s Day.
Indigenous Literacy Day is a national celebration of Indigenous culture, stories, language and literacy.
By getting involved in activities we focus our attention on the disadvantages experienced in remote communities and other places in Australia.
Workplace activities
Visit the Indigenous Literacy Foundation website for ideas about how to raise funds for literacy resources such holding an event as part of The Great Book Swap.
International Human Rights Day is the anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 10 December 1948.
The Declaration sets out a set of basic human rights and freedoms for all citizens.
Workplace activities
Visit the United Nations website for information about Human Rights Day and for campaign materials.