Father Chris Riley, CEO and Founder at Youth Off The Streets
THIS year’s National Reconciliation Week will run from May 27 to June 3.
Every year this week gives the Australian community a chance to raise awareness and have an open discussion of issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
This year the theme of the 2019 Reconciliation Week is Grounded in Truth: Walk Together with Courage.
Reconciliation is ultimately about building effective relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians. In order to do this we must have an open conversation about our history that is grounded in truth.
It is important to engage with Aboriginal history and culture and the only way we heal is to acknowledge the truth of our past.
Teaching our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people about their culture and history is so important for building connections to their communities and families. We do not shy away from our history; rather we believe there is courage in truth and that we’re all walking this journey together.
I encourage all Australians to continuously learn about our country’s cultural history and to be culturally aware. Through all of our services at Youth Off The Streets we encourage our young people to attend cultural events, participate in programs and learn about the world’s oldest culture and they take immense value from this.
As part of our dedication to reconciliation, we have created a Reconciliation Action Plan to ensure all our staff are culturally aware and formally trained in cultural competencies and will actively embrace the principals and practices of reconciliation.
This Reconciliation Week we must be grounded in truth and walk together with courage.
Father Chris Riley
CEO and Founder at Youth Off The Streets
