National Reconciliation Week, held annually from 27 May to 3 June, is a time for all Australians to come together and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia, and reflect on how each of us can contribute towards achieving true reconciliation in this country.
This years theme, “All In”, urges every Australian to commit to reconciliation in everything they do. It is our timely reminder that every person has a role to play, and this is not something we can ‘clock off’ on. As Reconciliation Australia puts it,
All In makes clear that reconciliation is not a spectator sport and that all of us must step away from the sidelines and take action to make change.
As Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities have known for a long time, reconciliation cannot and will not happen, until every Australian recognises their part to play, not just in their workplaces and schools, but in their everyday lives.
The artwork for this years Reconciliation Week poster, ‘Gaagal’ (meaning ocean in Gumbayngirr language), by Otis Hope Carey, captures beautifully the energy of ‘All In’.
In his words:
this artwork uses the ocean as a metaphor for people from all walks of life swirling together to be ‘all in’ for reconciliation… the movement in the work is a representation of tidal charts, wave currents and flowing tides, which emulates the non-stop movement of the ocean… a symbol that reflects the ongoing fight for reconciliation in this country.
Teachers and educators can head to their local Officeworks to pick up their free copy of this years poster. Be sure to grab a few and display proudly in your classrooms and services.
In addition to ‘All In’, you’ll notice on the poster there are two other key phrases; “Make Change’ and ‘Take Action’. I would love to see educators and teachers truly embracing these four words this Reconciliation Week, showing their children what it means to be ‘All In’. Let’s unpack this together.
Make Change.
Educators are in a powerful position to make change. By embedding First Nations perspectives, histories, and knowledges into everyday teaching rather than treating them as one-off topics, or focusing not only on celebration but on truth-telling, educators can shift classroom narratives toward respect, understanding, and shared responsibility for the future.
Practical change also comes through relationships; engaging with local First Nations communities, using culturally responsive resources, and reflecting on classroom practices that may silence or misrepresent voices. When you are putting together learning provocations for your children, or choosing a picture book to share that day, stop and reflect, whose voices are missing?
On a bigger picture level, early learning services can make significant change when they look to support their reconciliation work with a sustainable framework such as a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). RAPs help organisations move from intent to action, by providing a structured approach to how they engage in reconciliation.
Visit Narragunnawali to learn more about how to get started on creating a RAP for your service.
Children from Bribie Island Kindergarten visit the local Joondoburri Walk cultural space
Take Action.
Educators can take action this Reconciliation Week by actively creating classroom environments where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students feel culturally safe, seen, and valued. This goes beyond representation in curriculum and extends to everyday practices.
Have you thought about the following things?
- Are you using the correct terminology and pronunciation in regard to place names, language names, Country and mob names?
- Are you unintentionally perpetuating stereotypes through the texts and resources you use in your classroom? (Are you celebrating and highlighting to children contemporary First Nations culture as well as traditional?)
- Have you thought beyond Reconciliation Week about how you will sustain ongoing learning about First Nations cultures?
- Is the focus on truth-telling as well as celebration? (Truth-telling can be made a focus for the educator’s own cultural intellect too, not just in terms of what you share with children – for example, have you considered including a reflective allyship question in your team meetings?)
Educators can also take action through advocacy within their service and wider systems. This might include:
- Encouraging your leadership team to prioritise reconciliation initiatives
- Participating in local First Nations community events.
- Reviewing your service’s policies and practices to ensure First Nations perspectives are considered across all areas, including procurement and employment etc.
Children learn about Aboriginal place names on the map of Aborignial Australia at Evans Head-Woodburn Preschool
Activitiy ideas
The theme of ‘All In’ is a really beautiful one to share with children in the early years setting. Here are a few of my favourite activity ideas you might like to try in your classroom:
- All In Yarn Time – in your yarning circle, pass around a message stick and have children share one way they can work together as a team. Focus on things like sharing, being kind to one another and listening.
- Collaborative Mural: Reconciliation Australia have released a lovely Community Installation Activity Learning Guide which you can use with your team to explore your reconciliation commitments for the year.
- Shared Storytelling Time: As a group, using storytelling picture cards, loose parts or prompts, create a group story about Country, community and looking after one another. Children take turns adding to the story, which can be shared orally or created artistically.
- Helping Hands Kindness Missions: Give children simple ‘missions’ such as helping a friend, or inviting someone to play. When they complete their mission, add it to a class display board labelled something like “We Are All In”.
Children engaging in a reflective cultural art project at Styles Street Community
Our ongoing responsibility
Ultimately, I encourage you to consider Reconciliation Week not a standalone event but a reminder of the ongoing responsibility we all share to keep learning, reflecting, and acting. Let’s all get off the sidelines and become active participants in the reconciliation movement.
For educators, this means continuing the work long after posters are taken down and activities are packed away, ensuring that First Nations perspectives, voices, and truths are not occasional inclusions but a consistent and respected part of practice.
Further reading and inspiration
How Kootingal Preschool organised a community day to celebrate NAIDOC Week
How to build implicit and explicit cultural safety in ECEC spaces
Sharing Aboriginal languages and respecting culture: Lessons from Narooma Preschool
How Highgate ELC built their knowledge of local Aboriginal culture with artist Reverend Glenn Loughrey
About Deborah
Deborah Hoger is a Dunghutti woman and owner and Director of a business specialising in Indigenous educational resources. She is passionate about using early childhood as a platform to introduce children to the rich depth of knowledge and unique perspectives that Indigenous Australia has to offer.