Meerilinga Coolbellup

“Here is the land (Nidja Boodja), Here is the sky (Nidja Worl), Here are my friends (Nidjg Koordah), And here am I (Wer Nidja Ngany).

We acknowledge the first nations people on the land on which we learn and play, and we promise to look after it every single day.”

Each morning, our children start their mat sessions with an acknowledgement of country followed by singing Wandjoo (Welcome) and reading a picture book together. Building an acknowledgement into our routine helps children to think more deeply about our Indigenous cultures and how we can show respect to each other, while also providing a calming transition into the day after drop off.

Our Coolbellup children loved this mat session from last week, which concluded with an Indigenous story as part of National Reconciliation Week.

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.

The theme also reminds us that reconciliation and advancing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights isn’t a passive activity, and it is not solely the responsibility of First Nations people, who have carried the weight of championing, explaining and acting for far too long.

Reconciliation Australia turns 25 this year, and our 25th anniversary presents a renewed invitation to lift our actions and commitment for major change.

The work that remains to be done requires all of us to do our part. All In is not about guilt or shame, but about the reciprocal responsibility of being Australian.

Reconciliation will not happen by itself, we must be all in for reconciliation.